Press Trust of India 

The Indian Express 

January 17, 1999 

KOLLAM: Kerala state league champion FC Kochin did well to hold fancied Salgaocar SC, Goa, to a 2-2 draw and split points at the Lal Bahadur stadium here tonight. Contrary to expectations, the Kochin side gave a spirited display against their faniced rivals and made the best use of their experience in the ground for the last five days, where they had been practicising while the Goan outfit took time to adjust to the turf

Hyder opened the tally for FC Kochi with a goal in the 25th minute. But Salgaocar was quick to reply with Coutinho scoring in the 29th minute. D'Cunha took the lead for Salgaocar in the 72nd minute and Pradhan scored his first goal of the league in the 80th minute. FC Kochi could have won the game had their strikers, Najeeb and Jomo, been on target with most of their shots.