Chirag United SC scored once and missed many to get past the challenge of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited FC by the closest of margins (1-0) in a fifth round encounter of the I-League here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday. Midfielder Jerry Zirsanga found the lone goal to ensure three points for the home side which failed to realise a bigger scoreline, wasting a number of close opportunities.
Both sides went into the match with similar objectives of getting back the winning rhythm after playing out draws in the previous round. Making most of the advantage of playing at home, United SC had the greater say in the exchanges.
But with both teams banking more on caution, the goal-ward moves remained limited in the opening session.
The first good opportunity came in the 43rd minute when United SC winger Gauranga Dutta found his header on a Denson Devadas cross sailing wide.
The second move in the 45th minute matured into a goal as Jerry Zirsanga made no mistake with a neatly-set pass from his midfield colleague Lalkamal Bhowmick. Encouraged by the lead, the host tried to be more offensive after the break. Gauranga Biswas came at the end of another fine supply from Nigerian Ejijah Junior in the 48th minute, but failed to control the ball when he had only the HAL custodian P. Pramod at his mercy.
Employing a combination of youth and experience in veteran R.C. Prakash and Malengamba Meitei, the HAL SC attack failed to muster much in the striking zone as the host kept a tight vigil in its defence.
The only opportunity coming the visitor's way in the 67th minute could not alter the scoreline as J. Murali's attempt from close went wide.
The win took United SC's tally to eight points from five outings while HAL SC remained on the seven points it had collected from two wins and a draw in the previous rounds.
