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Sunday saves Sporting the blushes

Principal Correspondent

BARASAT: Mohammedan Sporting had to labour hard to hold visitor Air India to a 1-1 draw in its opening campaign in the I-League football match here at the Vidyasagar Stadium on Monday.

In a match that never rose to appreciable levels, Air India enjoyed the fruits of being more positive and led the first session through Surojit Roy’s 23rd minute goal.

Mohammedan Sporting made a determined bid for the equaliser after the change of ends. Liberian Theodore Sunday Wrobeh fetched the equaliser in the 59th minute.

More variety

Air India had more variety in its attacks in the first half and enjoyed the taste of its efforts which fructified when midfielder Surojit Roy made an effective run into the Mohammedan Sporting box to avail of a flick-on by Michael Tayo. The Nigerian midfielder was the useful link relaying Roy a cross from his compatriot Emanuel Oveighara.

After Mumbai FC produced a prodigious show downing former champion Mohun Bagan at the same venue barely tow days ago, second visitor from the western metropolis seemed to have picked up the cue well.

Air India coach Bimal Ghosh kept the attacking options open. The airmen showed greater balance in their attacks through all the sectors of the park.

The element of fitness too created the difference between the teams initially.

Air India put good numbers in its attacks and also ensured there were enough men falling back to its defence whenever its goal was under threat.

Having done well to lead in the first session, the visitor lost some steam in the second half. The home side made most of the slackness and found the equaliser early. Mohammedan Sporting searched the goal using a set-piece, with Wrobeh showing good opportunism to trap and shoot home a freekick taken by A. Jyothikumar.

The visitor earned two more chances later in the second session but Mohammedan Sporting did well to preserve the scoreline and ensure that it got home with a point.

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