Maharashtra, Kerala play pulsating 1-1 draw

Gurgaon, Oct 17 (UNI) Title contenders Kerala and Maharashtra played out a 1-1 draw in a thrilling Group B quarterfinal league encounter at the 61st Santosh Trophy football tournament here today.

Kashif Jamal scored for Maharashtra in the fourth minute while Abdul Naushad equalised for Kerala in the 29th minute.

In a fast-paced action-packed match, both the sides went offensive right from the start but it was Maharashtra who silenced vociferous, drum-beating Kerala supporters early in the match when Kasif first-time shot from a Steven Dias pass from the right flank found the net.

Though stunned by the early setback, Kerala kept their cool and pressed for an eaqualiser with captain Abdul Hakkem and Asif Saheer trying to cut loose in the Maharashtra box and they were well supported by last match's star N P Pradeep and Naushad from both the flanks.

The Kerala equaliser was a gem of a goal resulted from a brilliant combination of Naushad and R Rajesh. After collecting the ball from near the centre line, Naushad passed the ball to Rajesh to the right flank who centered it to Naushad again. The Kerala left half then thundered a shot from just inside the box which crashed into the net giving no chance to India reserve goalkeeper Subhasis Roy Chowdhury.

The tussle between two former champions intensified after the breather but a goal eluded both the sides and even though Kerala dominated the session, their forwards failed to breach Maharashtra defence.

On the other hand, Maharashtra captain Abhishek Yadav who had good last game was closely marked and not given any space by the rival defenders.

Maharashtra got a half chance when a cross from the right missed Yadav's head by a whisker and Paresh Shivalkar's left footer sailed over the bar. However their best chance to regain lead came in the 85th minute but this time Shivalkar's low cross from the left just missed the outstretched right leg of Yadav infront of the goal.

Later, Maharashtra coach Irenio Vaz said he was happy with the result though he would have wanted a win.

''Kerala are a good side and it was a fair result. I'm happy we got a point and we'll sail through into the semifinals with a win in the next match.'' Kerala coach K Bharathan also expressed satisfaction over today's result and said, ''There was noting to separate between the two teams.'' ''A loss would have made it difficult for us to go into the semis. Now we have to win the next match to stay in the hunt.'' Kerala play Karnataka on Thursday while Maharashtra take on Tamil Nadu on the same day.

Maharashtra and Kerala top the group with four points apiece while Tamil Nadu have collected three points. Karnataka, who are yet to open their account, are out of the competition.

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