F C Kochin thrash SBT

Fancied F C Kochin thrashed their Kerala rivals State Bank of Travanacore 4-1 in an eighth round match in the National Football League, in Thiruvananthapuram, on Tuesday night.

The victory swelled F C Kochin's tally to 18 points from eight matches, one less that Calcutta giants East Bengal, while SBT have four points from eight outings.

SBT started well and dominated the proceedings early on. They went ahead in the tenth minute when Shabir Ali netted after a good pass from midfielder Ignatius.

But the bankmen failed to maintain the tempo as FC Kochin came back strongly and restored parity in the 17th minute through a T S Anoj header. At the lemon break the teams were level 1-1.

In the 54th minute striker Aaron I Cole put FC Kochin ahead following a pass from I M Vijyan.

In the second session, FCK held the edge. Sunday Seah, who was their custodian in the first half, played as striker after break and got the other goals for his side, scoring twice minutes before the long whistle.

FCK will meet Tollygunge Agragami in Calcutta on February 26 while SBT will take on Salgaocar in Margao, Goa, the same day.

The gate collection from Tuesday match will be donated towards the Gujarat earthquake relief fund, according to the tournament committee officials.

Related reports:

FC Kochin lead National Football League race
F C Kochin stay ahead
Salgaocar close in on early leaders
Mohun Bagan well-placed after five rounds
Air India, Mahindra in a spot - Summary of Round 6
East Bengal high in the saddle - Summary of Round 7