MALAPPURAM: Baselius College, Kottayam, needed a tie-breaker to overcome UC College, Aluva and advance to the quarterfinals of TNIE GOAL 2017 all-Kerala inter-collegiate football tournament at Malappuram District Sports Council Stadium on Monday.
With both sides scoring one goal each by the end of 90 minutes, the penalty shootout was employed in which Aluva college’s Akshay and Jithin George fired over the post to gift the game to their opponents.
During the game, UC College took the lead through a penalty kick that was converted by Amal K B, but they were pegged back by a goal scored by Krishnanunni in the 73rd minute.Baselius began the game brighter of the sides.
Twenty minutes passed when Krishnanunni missed from close range after he was fed by Arun Shaji. But UC College, who reached pre-quarters beating Mampad MES College in tiebreakers, grew into the game as the match progressed. Led by Amal and Sajeesh, who were in fine touch, UC’s frontal assault opened Baselius defence on several occasions. In the 23rd minute, Amal’s close range effort was saved after Sajeesh shrugged off his marker and crossed from wide.
UC went ahead in the 39th minute after the referee awarded a penalty for Baselius midfielder Nidheesh’s push on Sajeesh inside the box and Amal converted from the spot.
Baselius looked for an instant reaction and Kerala’s 2017 Santosh Trophy squad member Netto Benny hit the woodwork the very next minute.
After missing a couple of good opportunities, Baselius equalised in the 73rd minute when Netto found Dibin M D on the right who crossed it for Krishnanunni to plant a looping header over the keeper and make it 1-1.