Bungo 'tricks' in Air India's
big win
S Ayyappa Swamy
Bombay's Cooperage ground is turning out to be a hat-trick venue. Two days
back, it was R C Prakash of Mohun Bagan who got one against Air India; two years back, it was Manjit
Singh, of the then Mahindra and Mahindra, who got four in-a-row against ITI. On Monday, it was the
turn of Air-India's Bungo Singh to emulate his city mate.
Substitute Bungo's four in-a-row, and one each by striker Anthony Fernandes and P J. Jose, saw the airmen
register a 6-1 victory over State Bank of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram. And, ironically, all of Air-India goals came
after they were down 0-1 to a Ashif Saheer goal in the 30th minute.
In hindsight, SBT coach Mohd. Najeeb, who missed three crucial players, would be wondering what would
have been the result of the match had Abdul Hakim not been thwarted brilliantly by goalkeeper Mohd.
Yusuf Ansari in a one-to-one situation.
Internationals goalkeeper Feroze Sharief (red card), defender Jiju Jacob and Lanel Thomas were all
missing from Monday's line-up. Moreover Najeeb also felt that some refereeing decisions went against them.
"`It is happening to us in all matches," he said.
Bungo, who is a regular first eleven player, came on in the 32nd minute for Dennis George and struck in the
37th, 48th, 50th and 65th minutes. The third one was a penalty, when Anthony Fernandes was brought
down by goalkeeper Rajeev Kumar inside the box. Normally, Khalid Jamil, who has been in indifferent
form and was used as the right back today, or Taposh Ghosh, would have taken the kick. But a beaming
Air-India coach Bimal Ghosh shouted for Bungo to take the kick, and the striker made no mistake by sending the ball to
the far right corner of the goal.
India international Godfred Pereira was used by coach Ghosh right from the start, and the portly veteran had a
hand in two goals. The first time he set up Bungo, using his body adroitly to shield the ball from goalkeeper
Rajeev, and set up his teammate for an easy chance.
In the second half, Godfred ran 45 yards with a defender in tow and earned a corner kick. He himself
took it and Bungo, who could do no wrong today, kicked it goalwards. The ball was headed into the goal by
captain-defender Martin Mathew over his own goalkeeper Rajeev. This goal too has been credited to
Bungo.
Air-India, who now are on 12 points from 11 matches, have now been involved in two matches which has
produced seven goals. In the eighth round, they won 4-3 against Jagatjit Cotton Textile Mills, Phagwara, in
Ludhiana. SBT are on five points.
Today's victory equals the second all-time best record -- when JCT, which had Baichung Bhutia, I M
Vijayan, Jo Paul Ancheri and Stephen Abarowei, beat Mahindra and Mahindra in Ludhiana, with the
Sikkim star scoring five goals; and also Mahindra's 6-1 win over ITI in Mumbai two years ago. The record
for the biggest margin of victory stands in the name of Mahindras, who beat Dempo 7-1 in Goa.
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
East Bengal on top for second week - Summary of Round 8
Three in close race - Summary of Round 9
Prakash's hat-trick high point of Round 10
