Sappers regain crown

Madras Engineer Group (MEG) emerged champions of the BDFA Super Division League here on Saturday. A draw would have secured MEG the championship but they produced a fighting performance to oust Accountants General's Office Recreation Club (AGORC) 3-2 at the Bangalore Football Stadium.

MEG garnered 22 points from their nine games and rose above Students Union (20), who finished in second place. AGORC, who ended with four points, will be relegated after a ninth-place finish. This is MEG’s third title in the competition. They had previously won in 2006 and 2011.

Forward Asif put MEG ahead in the 11th minute but striker Dada Nabeel equalised for AGORC three minutes later. Midfielder Christopher then struck in the 39th minute to restore the lead for MEG. Vishnu scored in the 78th minute to further increase their tally. AGORC weren’t done yet as Nabeel netted again in the 81st minute to reduce the deficit.

Dedicated team
The Sappers coach SP Shaji gave credit to the players for dedicating themselves fully during training. “Major credit for the success goes to the players for showing dedication. I just told them to focus on their training and ultimately you will get the results. I told them to keep scoring goals because only that will take you to the winning position in a match and in the league,” he said.

Shaji also had words of praise for the 36-year-old midfielder Ramu, who has been with the team for 15 years.  “He is one of our best players and was also part of the Services team in 2013-14.”  Forward Liton Shil, who could not play on Saturday due to suspension, emerged MEG’s top-scorer with six goals.

MEG started the proceedings positively and Ramu set up the first goal, squaring the ball to Asif for a simple tap-in inside the box. AGORC responded immediately through Nabeel, who put the ball past the onrushing MEG ’keeper Sharat Narayan after controlling a long pass from Ravinder Singh. Christopher then came out with a superb finish from inside the box as MEG went up 2-1 at the stroke of half-time.

MEG picked up from where they left off after the restart and increased their advantage when Vishnu slammed home a rebound after AGORC  goalkeeper K Naresh had done well to deny an effort from Leon.

In control of the match now, a Nabeel goal two minutes later didn’t make any change in MEG’s fortunes. They could have won by a bigger margin but in the 89th minute, Naresh dived to his right to deny Christopher off a penalty, which was awarded after AGORC defender Govardhan was found guilty of tripping Vishnu inside the box.