Santosh Trophy 2006 Kerala drew Maharashtra 1-1

Maharashtra Kerala 1-1

I saw the match after some 18 minutes.
Maharashtra was Leading 1-0
I wondered how MH managed to score. they couldn't even stop the ball.
Kerala players were better. passing well in short passes and moving well.
Looked well organized and good going forward.
Defense was bit weak. Lionel did well. Joby too was good going backward.

Asif Saheer was sheer quality. i never knew he had such potential.

The Kerala goal came about 28th minute when a cross from the midfield was collected by Saheer just in front of the box, there were 3 defenders surrounding him , he managed to hold the ball for few seconds and make a good through pass , perfectly placed for Noushad who came running through the box , he managed to make a first touch bit wider and finish it to the opposite end of the net with ease. And finally Kerala scored a good goal. Worthy to watch.

Whereas our captain Hakkim was as usual, International Waste.
I don't think he should be in the first team and can't guess why is he captain of the team when Pradeep is there. Pradeep was inspiring as usual playing in the right wing.

All these were that for the first half. Kerala was doing well but was needed to create more chances. MH on other had nothing worth mentionable apart from the miss passes and the lack of control. But i think they produced more anxious moments in front of goal.Thanks to the poor defense of Kerala which permitted the ball to bounce around in the BOX.

In the 2nd half all the worst happening. Started with few fouls that may have taken the momentum away from the game.It was dull, worthless gameplay and MH dominated it mostly.

Saheer was again very impressive. Pradeep went out of steam. But still was playing. The team management made a good move by replacing Hakkim in about 62nd minute and bringing in Rafique. Pradeep was still on hte field and I think he was to be substituted. But that never happened. Kerala made another change to by bringing in another striker. But nothing worked out.
And finally they panned for the third change, everything was ready at the 92 nd minute and referee stopped the play. That replacement never happened !
What a wonderful team management !

Maharashtra on the other hand kept attacking.. few corners went across the posts without finding the tall Abhishek Yadav. And finally in the 82nd minute when a cross from left came which bounced in front of the onrushing defender at the near post, Abhiskek was at the far post, the ball crossed the goalkeeper who was ball watching, the defender who was to mark the Forward was too caught ball watching..
the the forwarded rushed to it dived in, and nothing happened. He couldn't connect. had it touched somewhere, It was end of the game for Kerala, who never seemed to have got back the rhythm.


Had the refree been a slight strict, there wont have been 11 players on the field for MH. Refereeing was not bad. But should have been a little more stern.

In the end i feel we were lucky to escape with a Draw.