Press Trust of India
The Indian Express

January 10, 1999

Kollam; FC Kochi exploited a sloppy Indian Bank defence to thrash them 5-1 and notched up their first three points in the third National League Championship here tonight. 

Medio Noel Wilson drew the first blood for FC Kochin through a penalty through a penalty conversion in the 9th minute while Fatai brought parity for the bankmen in the 25th minute.

The Kochi team forged ahead through Abu Jomo in the 45th minute, while striker Mohammed Shafeeq struck twice in the 62nd and 80th minute and Najeeb completed the tally before the final whistle.

FC Kochi, which had met with a reverse in their opening encounter in this edition against East Bengal dominated the proceedings of the match and could have won by a bigger margin had their strikers been on target. 

The bankmen, led by former Indian captain VP Sathyan and a couple of international players in their ranks failed to contain the Kochi attackers, who combined well and revealed their talents. This was their second defeat after having lost the first game to ITI.