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SBT, Titanium qualify
March 16, 2003 21:10 IST
State Bank of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram, and Titanium qualified for the second stage of the Second Division National Football League at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
In the South Zone four-team finals, SBT topped with nine points, winning all their three matches, while Titanium finished runner-up with six points, with a sole loss to SBT.
The other two teams ICF, Tamil Nadu, who have three points, and MEG, Bangalore, who lost all their matches, bowled out.
In their concluding match, SBT trounced MEG 4-0 after leading 2-0 at the breather.
Abdul Naushad started the move which resulted in the SBT's first goal in the 17th minute. In the 38th minutes Ashif Saheer's brilliance paved the way for the second goal.
SBT played at half pace in the second-half, but kept MEG defence busy with counter attacks. And, finally, it was Abdul Hakkim, who netted two blistrering goals in the 58th and 60th minutes.
Titanium, needing only a draw against ICF for qualifying, carved out a 2-0 win over the rivals. The first-half was a tame affair with neither side being able to display good football. However, in the second half U Shajahan scored in the 80th minute beating the advancing goalkeeper. In the very next minute the winning team's tally went up when striker Ebin Rose netted through a left flank volley.
SBT stay in Thiruvananthapuram for the final Group A matches, while Titanium will go to Jamshedpur to play in Group B. The matches in both places begin on March 26.
Complete Coverage: 7th National Football League 2002-03