A-I, Viva Kerala split points

After thrashing Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan in their own den in the last game...

After thrashing Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan in their own den in the last game, Viva Kerala were high on confidence and today, they forced Air India to split points 1-1 in their I-League match at the Cooperage.

Viva Kerala’s Wisdom Abbey’s dangerous shot was cleared by Air India’s defender Dhanachandra Singh. But in the 16th minute, the visitors’ Othelo Tabia was bang on target with his 35-yard grounder.

However, four minutes later, the hosts equalised. Following a Uttam Singh throw in, Suley Musah headed the ball back to captain Bashiru Abbas who nodded the ball in.

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Air India were reduced to 10 men in the 32nd minute, when Njoh Jean was sent off. The Kerala outfit’s defender, Tutu George, and Cameroonian Jean clashed that led to Jean cutting his elbow while Tutu’s nose started bleeding. Tutu lay on the ground, apparently in great pain, but as referee Deepak Singh showed the red card to Njoh after consulting with assistant referee Dinesh Nair, he was ready to play.

Just before Jean’s ouster, Bashiru tried to put the hosts into the lead, but his 20-yarder was blocked by Viva Kerala’s seasoned campaigner under the bar, MV Nelson.

In the second half, Viva Kerala’s Nigerian import threatened with his header but Sarath was quick to leap and palm away the ball. On the other hand, Air India had a chance in the 80th minute to score but Dhanachandra Singh’s header off Uttam Singh’s throw-in found Nelson right in position to block the ball.

Air India coach Bimal Ghosh came up with quick substitutions so that there were no tired legs on field. Samson Singh tried to make a difference, but his free-kick from outside the box was palmed away by Nelson.

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With time ticking away, Uttam Singh’s throw-ins were troubling the visitors. And one of his throw ins was headed by Paresh Shivalkar, but it just sailed over the crossbar.

Viva Kerala’s AM Shreedharan said after the match: “Earning a point from an away match is good, but we did not capitalise on the situation today.” Ghosh was unhappy with the refereeing, specially with Jean’s ouster.