JCT, Mahindras play goaless draw

JCT, Mahindras play goaless draw
RAYMOND FERNANDES

MUMBAI, DECEMBER 18: Jagatji Cotton and Textile Mills, Phagwara, and Mumbai's Mahindra United fought out a keen battle, before they eventually shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw in the National Football League at the Cooperage ground, on Monday.

In an interesting game, there was plenty of goalmouth action and the contest was fought out at a lively pace. Both had about five good chances each but cashed in only once and blew away the other golden opportunities.

It was JCT who drew first blood in the 34th minute through Ram Pal. They then admirably withstood the Mahindra pressure for quite a long spell, before they went in for the breather, with that slender 1-0 advantage.

Mahindra made the most of a JCT defensive lapse when Habib Adenkule put them on level terms in the 48th minute. The equaliser, instead of proving to be a shot in the arm for the jeeepmen, ironically generated tremendous pressure from JCT. But Mahindras came out unscathed, thanks to two brilliant saves by International goalkeeper Virender Singh, at a time when all seemed lost for the local champions.

The jeepmen then came into their own when Abhay Kumar replaced an injured Venkatesh and Nitin Pradham came in for Manjit Singh in the latter stages. But they blew away one chance after another before finishing the contest on level terms.

National and JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh said he was satisfied with the outcome of the match, at a post-match press briefing. ``Like Mohun Bagan, whom we held 2-2 after being in arrears twice, Mahindras were also a fancied side on paper,'' Sukhwinder stated. ``We missed Hardip Saini who had to be kept out at the last moment with an injured knee,'' he said and added that this was the same side that had held Bagan in their opener.

``We're happy but not fully,'' said Mahindra coach Shabbir Ali and manager Harish Rao. ``We fell to a silly goal and should have scored more goals when we had the upperhand in both the sessions,'' they added. ``However, the form displayed by the jeepmen is a far cry from the way they had pleasantly performed in the Durand Cup,'' said Shabbir.

Mahindra had the first try in the 20th minute. Hardworking Abbas Ali Rizvi sent a fine goalmouth centre from the left, but team-mate Raza rifled his shot wide when ideally placed in front of goal.

Hardip Gill did likewise for JCT when he ballooned the ball over from close, following a fine pass by Sukhjit Singh in the 31st minute.

But JCT struck three minutes later. Hardip Sangha neatly harnessed Gill with a well-measured pass and the latter's try went across the Mahindra goalmouth. Ram Pal, who was unmarked at the far side of the goal, tapped home from handshaking distance.

The lead stung Mahindras. They then attacked with gusto and should have restored parity in the first-half itself. But poor markmanship and a couple of near misses by Venkatesh, stood between them and a deserving goal.

The Mahindra equaliser came following a defensive lapse by Harinder Singh in the 48th minute. He headed the high throw-in by opponenet Naushad Moosa straight Mahindra linkman Habib Adenkule, who was positioned near the penalty spot. Habib bulged the net with a full-blooded volley which found the roof of the net.