FC Kochin down JCT, move to the top

Formidable F C Kochin, who had missed out on some vital points with two consecutive draws in earlier matches, got their act together to defeat JCT, Phagwara, 1-0 in a National Football League match in Kochi on Thursday.

Liberian striker Aaron Cole, coming back after a one-match suspension for two yellow cards against ITI, Bangalore, was the hero for the home team as he got the match-winner in the 75th minute.

With this victory, FC Kochin move to the top of the top of the 12-team league with 15 points (four wins, three draw) from seven encounters while JCT, who are yet to taste a win, have three points (three draws, four losses) from seven matches.

Holders Mohun Bagan are in the second spot with 14 points from six matches.

F C Kochin dominated proceedings and had a larger share of the exchanges with Sunday Seah, Aaron Cole and Eugene Gray on the attack. The ball stayed with the Kochin side and they teased and tormented the rival defence many a time but were unable to score.

In the dying moments, the millmen went all out for the equaliser, but the Kochin defence, manned by inform Joe Paul Ancheri and Dinesh V Nair, stood firm.

5th National Football League
How the teams stand
Teams		P	W	D	L	F	A		Pts	GD
FC Kochin		7	4	3	0	12	8		15	3
M Bagan		6	4	2	0	11	5		14	6
East Bengal		6	4	1	1	9	3		13	6
Vasco		7	3	4	0	6	3		13	3
Salgaocar		6	4	0	2	11	7		12	4
Mahindra		7	1	4	2	5	6		7	-1
Tollygunge		7	1	3	3	2	6		6	-4
Churchill		6	1	2	3	7	6		5	1
ITI		6	1	2	3	2	4		5	-2
Air-India		6	1	2	3	4	8		5	-4
SBT		7	0	4	3	5	11		4	-6
JCT		7	0	3	4	4	11		3	-7

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