Nothing less than a win would do for ICF to win the St. Joseph’s Chennai Football Association senior division league title as Arrows defeated Indian Bank 2-1 in its last match on Thursday. ICF (26 points) trails Arrows (28) by two points and meets Chennai Customs next Tuesday.
Indian Bank was deprived of the services of sure starters in Antony Agu, through suspension, and the trio of Frucis Beschi, Mijo Jose and Jaokhan, due to personal reasons.
Yet it held on fairly well until the 42nd minute when Morgan Justice scored. After collecting the ball on the right side of the penalty area, he sped through on goal, but no Indian Bank player closed him down, giving the Nigerian a clear shot on target.
An uneventful half an hour’s play unfolded after the break before the bankmen’s appeal for a penalty created some excitement.
Counter-attackIt was turned down and Arrows immediately launched a swift counter-attack with K. Vaisakhan scoring off a pass from Justice.
A goal for Indian Bank in the 83rd minute by R. Bharath Arun following a goal-mouth scramble resulted in a few jittery moments. Justice then missed a one-on-one too but Arrows held on for the win.
The league will now take a three-day break before resuming on Monday.
The result: Arrows 2 (Morgan Justice 42, K. Vaisakhan 80) bt Indian Bank 1 (R. Bharath Arun 83).
