Indian Bank qualify for the first division

Indian Bank, Chennai, scored a solitary goal victory over Bengal Mumbai Football Club in the sixth round of the Second Division National Football League (final phase) and made sure of promotion to the First Division, in Pondicherry on Sunday.

Following the victory, Indian Bank swelled their tally to 16 points, two less than Dempo Sports Club, Goa, who have 18 points, with an all-win record.

Striker Sabir Pasha scored the all-important goal for the bankmen in the seventh minute in the well-contested match.

The Mumbai team survived a scare in the 30th minute when Bobby Hamilton centered the ball which was headed by Mohammed bin Hussain. However, defender Yakub Rabu effected a goalline save.

Ten minutes later, a Pasha-Nadika combined move was wasted when the latter shot the ball wide off the mark.

The second session saw the Mumbai side change tactics and effected good forays into the rival citadel. The bankmen withstood the pressure and did not allow their citadel to cave in. They were helped by wayward shooting by the BMFC strikers.

BMFC have have six points.

Second Division National Football League 2001-2002 - the complete coverage