K N Jayasuriya scripted a commanding 6-1 win for Indian Bank, scoring three goals, against Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore in the Oil PSU National Football League at the Nehru stadium in Chennai on Monday.
The Sri Lankan striker exhibited immense skills and combined lethally with former international Syed Sabir Pasha to help Indian Bank stay clear of the relgation zone.
He opened the floodgates after Pasha forced a 1-0 lead with a sterling left-footer in the 29th minute, squeezing the ball through the narrow gap between the upright and an advancing ITI goalkeeper Gumpe Rime.
Jayasuriya scored his first goal in the 38th minute off a Pasha cross following a defensive lapse by ITI stopper Sunil Kumar and custodian Gumpe. Pasha then made it 3-0 in the 40th minute, running down the flank and beating Gumpe hands down again.
ITI managed to reduce the margin when their star striker Najeeb managed to find the target. The ball entered the goal after striking the crosspiece in the 48th minute.
ITI, who dominated play in the first 29 minutes, until Pasha and Jayasuriya found their form, went into the second session down 1-3 but in the hope of drawing level, but Jude Nawadu and Akshay Das and Ragui Singh, who forced many a counter attack, could not find the target.
Jayasuriya struck two more goals in the 54th and 57th minutes to give Indian Bank an unassailable 5-1 lead.
Pasha was substituted by Basheer Ahmed. In the 90th minute, Basheer struck a peach of a goal, banging home a cross from the left by Antony Noel.
ITI's tale of woe was complete as they remained at the bottom of the table below HAL, with just a win and seven points.
With this win, Indian Bank increased their tally to 20 points from 18 matches.