League

SaLt LaKe StaDiuM
Spectators: 7695 (Terracing: 5772, Seating: 1770, VIP seats: 153) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Arcat Chahil kicked off to start the match. In the 4th match minute, HYDERABAD SULTANS was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Amitabha Pradhan to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in HYDERABAD SULTANS's zone, Amitabh Sarkaria stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Naginderjit Varghese came out of the goal and Amitabh Sarkaria tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After having played for 7 minutes, Cidananda Takkar managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cottingham's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cidananda Takkar was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Isan Khanna received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 11th minute. Cittavata Toor tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Cidananda Takkar had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 13th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 15 minutes into the match, Cottingham's goalkeeper Cittavata Toor had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Isan Khanna. HYDERABAD SULTANS's Naginderjit Varghese played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Amitabh Sarkaria in the 17th minute of play. Cittavata Toor showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Arcat Chahil in the 18th minute of the match. In the 22nd minute Amitabh Sarkaria shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Naginderjit Varghese saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Cottingham's Cittavata Toor proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 33rd minute of the match, managed to save Cottingham from getting a goal against them. Isan Khanna struck a weak shot in the 38th minute. Cittavata Toor didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for HYDERABAD SULTANS. When HYDERABAD SULTANS's Arcat Chahil in the 47th minute got a chance for a shot 47th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Cottingham's goalie prevented a goal.

The wind increased when Cidananda Takkar made the kick off in the second half. HYDERABAD SULTANS's Naginderjit Varghese played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cidananda Takkar in the 52nd minute of play. After 55 minutes of play, HYDERABAD SULTANS's Isan Khanna made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Cittavata Toor was left in no man's land by his defense there! Naginderjit Varghese showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Bhurikirti Kale, who was totally free with the ball in the 60th minute. Naginderjit Varghese showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cidananda Takkar in the 60th minute of the match. In the 65th minute of the game, Amitabha Pradhan landed unfortunately after trying to head the ball, and pulled a muscle in the back, so badly that he had to leave the field. Bhurikirti Kale's late challenge caught a HYDERABAD SULTANS's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Bhurikirti Kale helped the player get up and apologised. In the 66th minute, Bhurikirti Kale hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Naginderjit Varghese made an important save on a dangerous shot by Amitabh Sarkaria in the 72nd minute. After 82 played minutes HYDERABAD SULTANS got a freekick which was hit by Isan Khanna. If Isan Khanna had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 92nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. For all the effort they put into the match, the Cottingham players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for HYDERABAD SULTANS.