Prakash's 'trick' high point
of round 10

S Ayyappa Swamy

Striker R C Prakash's hat-trick against Air-India could not have come at a better time. Not only for himself but also for his side Mohun Bagan. The nippy, dimunitive, but well-built, forward fully justified his call to the national camp for the pre-World Cup ties beginning March 25. And Mohun Bagan, who had not won any of their last four matches when they ruled the top of the 12-team fifth National Football League, got themselves back into the race with the three points they earned from the Bombay outing.

There was some doubt about Prakash's first goal. Did he get a touch or did Brazilian Flavio Lopes's header go straight into the goal. Referee K Shankar, who has drawn much flak this season, revealed that the ball brushed the former ITI striker's knee before lodging in the net. But the second goal was a beauty and is indeed the best of the tenth round.

Air-India coach Bimal Ghosh is at his wits end. He had thought the worst is behind after his boys fought back to defeat JCT 4-3 in the ninth round. But the players simply failed to regroup after conceding the first goal, which came after a blunder by goalkeeper Ansari, who, in his inimitable style, went for the man and not the ball.

Ghosh has rung in a lot of changes and now palns to use the out-of-form Khalid Jamil in the right-back position and bring in Taposh Ghosh in the midfield. The airmen next play State Bank of Travancore in Bombay on Monday.

Also at a loss is Mahindra United coach Shabbir Ali, whose players are simply going through the motions without any passion or feeling for the game and the side. Apart from Christopher and goalkeeper Virender Singh, there is none in the side who is able of lifting the game. Kochin scored a fortuitous goal against them, through T.S. Anoj, in Bombay and that means the round 11 showdown between the southern outfit and East Bengal will reveal who remains at the top at the halfway stage.

The red and golden brigade from Calcutta, coached by Manoranjan Bhattacharjee, ensured that they remain at the top for the fifth consecutive week when they put it across former champions Jagatjit Cotton Textile Mills, Phagwara, in Ludhiana.

JCT are not enjoying any success at home too having lost two and drawn the other two of four matches at Ludhiana. The under-rated Srikanta Dutta, who is normally used as a substitute nowadays, scored the matchwinner for East Bengal during added-on time.

The shock of the tenth round, however, came when debutants Vasco Sports Club stunned former champions Salgaocar 2-1, at Goa. Now they have beaten both their statemates, having bested Churchill Brothers 1-0 in the opening match of the league. Both these are considered away matches for Vasco, who will play them again in `home' ties.

The secret of the Derrick Pereira's side is that despite having no big names they are making the best use of the limited chances that come their way.

Churchill Brothers got their second victory in-a-row when they got the better of Indian Telephone Industries at Margao. After surprising Mohun Bagan in the ninth round, the Goan champions eked out a narrow 2-1 win.

State Bank of Travancore almost got their first victory when they were leading 2-1 against 'draw masters' Tollygunge Aggragami in Calcutta. The 'Third Front' of Calcutta football, however, got the equalizer through Nigerian Emeka Achilefu early in the second half. It was an inncuous shot which was deflected in by defender Sivakumar.

Best goal: R C Prakash’s chip over Air-India goalkeeper Mohd. Yusuf Ansari.

Best match: Vasco beating Salgaocar 2-1 at Margao.

Disappointment: Bombay teams Air-India and Mahindra United floundering in home matches.

Results of the tenth round:
JCT lost to East Bengal 0-1 at Ludhiana
Salgaocar lost to Vasco 2-1 at Margao
Mahindra United lost to FC Kochin 0-1 at Bombay
Churchill Bros. beat ITI 2-1 at Margao
Tollygunge Aggragami drew SBT 2-2 at Calcutta
Air-India lost Mohun Bagan 0-3 at Bombay

Churchill Bros. beat ITI 2-1 at Margao

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