A disputed call from referee C Leo just minutes before half-time overshadowed an otherwise thrilling BDFA Super Division league game between Madras Engineer Group (MEG) & Centre and Ozone FC on Monday.
For the record, Liton Shil netted the winner in the 81st minute as MEG won the game 1-0.
Tempers frayed when Leo failed to award an indirect free-kick to MEG after Ozone goalkeeper Ishan Debnath chose to collect a back pass from midfielder Karthik G instead of kicking it away. The decision did not go well with the MEG coach Shaji, who, in protest, called back his players from the field, resulting in a brief stoppage of play.
However, the matter was sorted out as Leo, after consulting with the assistant referee, changed his original call and awarded an indirect free-kick to MEG. It, however, did not cause any trouble to Ozone.
Ozone started the game well and created their first chance in the 16th minute. Forward Anto Xavier played a nice one-two with midfielder Satish Kumar just outside the opponent’s box before sending him through with only the MEG custodian to beat. Satish then attempted a shot from the left, which was blocked by Sharat in the MEG goal.
Ozone’s relentless pressure soon paid dividends as Karthik won a penalty for his team, after being brought down inside the box by Vishnu. Midfielder G Vignesh’s effort was brilliantly thwarted by the alert Sharat, who dived to his right to palm it away.
The second period hardly witnessed any goalmouth action until the 81st minute when Liton tapped in his effort past Debnath off an assist from midfielder Christopher.
In ‘A’ Division, Postal Department recorded a 1-1 draw with Parikrma.
Tongmang netted the opener for Parikrma in the 34th minute but Arvind brought the scores level with a strike in the 80th minute.