Viva Kerala, promoted to the top division of the National Football League, yet again provided testimony to their giant-killing credentials when they came from behind to beat Air India 2-1 and storm into the quarter-finals of the 29th Federation Cup in Ludhiana on Thursday.
The custodians of both teams would like to forget the encounter at the Guru Nanak Stadium as their blunders caused all the goals.
Sanju Pradhan scored for the airmen in the 15th minute while Satish Kumar equalised four minutes before half-time and S James Singh scored the winner through a lovely direct free-kick in the 68th.
Air India started brightly with Paresh Shivalkar, Narendra Meetei and Samson Singh pressurising the Viva defence without much joy. They were due for an early present though.
Hringsolal Thomte found Pradhan at the edge of the box and his shot on goal went in through the legs of embarrassed Viva keeper Purushottaman T G.
Air India came close to doubling their lead in the 23rd minute when Shivalkar dribbled past the defence and centred for a diving Samson Singh to head over.
Raju Ekka in the Air India goal returned the favour in the 41st minute to Viva, who were distinctly second best for much of the first half.
A hard shot from distance by Bimal Barua was spilled by Ekka and Satish Kumar was the quickest to react as he slotted home the rebound.
The goal energised Viva, the club formed just three years ago with financial contribution from football-loving non-resident Keralites.
Viva stepped up a gear in the second half and Air India were forced to operate on the break.
Shivalkar was still very lively on the right flank and his cross was wasted by Santosh Koli who hit wide. The miss proved to be costly as the team from the southern state hit soon after.
Air India substitute Amritpal Singh, who replaced the injured Covan Lawrence in only the 17th minute, was booked by referee Mohammad Kamil for a reckless challenge just outside his own penalty area.
James Singh stepped up and curled his free-kick over the defensive wall and into the top corner.
Though it was unarguably a splendid strike, Raju Ekka would have to take a part of the blame as he left the near post vacant and drifted a bit towards the right post hoping to pouch the centre ahead of the attackers.
There were also no defenders on the posts as a last line of defence.
Air India put more men forward and got two opportunities to equalise but Shivalkar and Samson Singh failed to hit the target when they got loose balls inside the box.
Coach Bimal Ghosh made changes and sent M Bijen Singh and Jiten Rai, but to no avail. They were also liable to be hit on the break with the nippy Viva players, showing better control.
He squarely blamed the custodian for today's reversal.
His counterpart A M Sreedharan, who was at the helm of the Indian team, was delighted with the result.
"It was an evenly fought match and the win would be a boost for the players preparing for the first ever professional league. We are still a baby among other clubs," Sreedharan said.
"Such wins have a positive influence on a comparatively new team," Sreedharan, who also coached the Kerala Santosh trophy team from 1994-97, added.
