Fransa blank State Bank

Goals from Benjamin Ansah and Jules Alberto Dias gave Fransa Pax Sports Club a convincing 2-0 victory over State Bank of Travancore in a fourth round match of the ninth National Football League at Nehru stadium in Margao on Friday.

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The bankmen went on the attack from the start and dominated the first half, keeping their rivals under pressure. Mohamed Aslam and Mohamed Haris combined well upfront but were denied entry by defenders Louis Aniweta and S Feroz, who thwarted their moves.

It was Fransa Pax who took the lead in the 31st minute when Benjamin Ansah headed home a flag-kick taken by Saikhom Singh from the left.

Two minutes later Sebastiao Endro had a clear chance to increase the lead but he drove the ball over off a pass from Joseph Ogor.

Fransa, who created more scoring chances in the second half, increased the lead in the 72nd minute when man of the match Jules Alberto Dias's 40-yard long ranger beat keeper Harshal Rahman all ends to find the roof of the net.

SBT made valiant efforts in the closing stages to reduce the margin but had their best chance go abegging when Pradeep dealyed in connecting a cross from the left by Mohammed Harish.

Fransa, with two wins, one loss and a draw have seven points while SBT, who suffered their second defeat, remain on four points from four matches.

Referee Deepak Bist showed yellow cards to Fransa's Sanjeev Maria, Louis Aniweta and SBT's Joby K S.