Kerala Club Football Championship: Threads tie down Quartz

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A 10-man Golden Threads team defeated Quartz FC Kozhikode 2-1 to enter the semifinals of the 37th State Club Football championship being held at Palakkad on Tuesday.

Apart from the narrow escape from a set piece taken by Quartz’s right back Deepak, there was not much action in the opening 28 minutes of the match.

However, the opener scored by Chimezie in the 28th minute changed the course of the match. Receiving a pass from the midfield, Chimezie dribbled past a couple of defenders and earned the lead for the Kochi team.

Within the next minute, Golden Threads doubled the lead as their left back broke into a solo run from the midfield and befuddled Quartz custodian Souvik Ghosh with a quirky shot.

The next two minutes saw a spirited Golden Threads players raiding the Quartz box. Chimezie would have scored his second goal but Souvik managed to hold the ball from the low header taken from the left side. Golden Threads captain K.J Arun lost a one-on-one with Souvik in the very next minute.

However, Quartz FC subsequently wrested the momentum and tried their best to score a goal. A build up by Pedro and Sanath Kumar resulted in Golden Threads defender B.K Anagh forced to handle the ball. He was shown the second yellow and sent off.

With their rivals down by a man, Quartz began the second half at an advantage but could not crack the Golden Threads defence. Substitute Liju Thomas and Uzoma were instrumental in foiling Quartz’s advances.

Pedro made it 2-1 in the 78th minute to give hope for the Kozhikode team. His shot on goal from a perfect right-winged cross was parried away by goalie Jineesh to Pedro, only to be netted by the Nigerian.

After the goal, the game turned defensive for Golden Threads. Pedro and Suhail again teamed up for a couple of near-goal chances in the dying minutes of the game but could not capitalise on the chances as they were foiled by their alert opponents.