Siraj scored from a freekick to help overcome Air-India by 1-0 in the E.K. Nayanar Memorial Gold Cup. Read the match report.

 

 

Both Viva Kerala and Air India put out strong sides for this group A match but on Kerala soil Viva were again slightly stronger than the Airmen.  Like the recent I-League match, the game was won by a moment of brilliance from the Viva captain.  This time it was Sirajudeen, in the absence of MP Sakeer, who scored a brilliant freekick from 30 yards.  The goal came in the first half and the Mumbai side applied a lot of pressure throughout the second half to make Viva earn this victory.  The Viva defence did a fine job with Bello Rassaq receiving the MOM trophy and Noushad had to make 3 exciting goal line clearances. 
The second half was not all Air India and Viva had chances on the break but poor finishing once again let them down.
Despite the match being played on a poor surface both teams tried to get the ball down and pass it but the spectators had to settle for watching players miscontrol the ball as it bobbled around on the uneven ground.
 
The ground may have been poor but the refereeing was excellent.  The previous night, the referee had blown his whistle at every opportunity to a point of encouraging diving and ruining the flow of football.  Referee Andrew, however, made it clear he would not tolerate any diving and played advantage at every opportunity allowing the game to flow. 

 

 
Kannur football fans will be treated to some of the biggest clubs in India playing here over the next 2 weeks but unlike Viva Kerala and Air India, many I-League sides participating in this tournament will be fielding reserve teams.  Churchill Brothers have an important AFC cup match on the day of the final!  East Bengal have the I-League, AFC cup, players away with the national team and the Kolkata league to think about! 
 
If the the Kannur fans want to see the best footballers in the country come here then they will need to set up a team capable of I-League qualification.

 

Viva: Sharat - Noushad, Amarwant, Bello, Surjith - Karma, Patrick, Rahul (Sajesh), Siraj - Reuben, Shibinlal.

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