Prayag United denied by Pawan Kumar's heroics

September 21, 2011 02:35 am | Updated 02:35 am IST - KOLKATA:

Pawan Kumar's heroics under the bar helped Air India hold home favourite Prayag United to a goalless draw in a group ‘D' league encounter of the 33rd Federation Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.

There was little else to the match, which remained a dreary exchange in the midfield with United FC breaking out on attacks occasionally and Pawan blocking the shots that were on target.

Contrary to the overtly defensive tactics adopted by Air India, United SC showed some urgency in its approach, but that came of little help with its offensive blunted by a lack of purpose. The opening session recounted the tentativeness in United FC's attack as the host fumbled with its finishing in the striking zone.

Despite showing better organization in the midfield under its skipper Lalkamal Bhowmik, the United FC forays ended prematurely on an overcrowded Air India goalmouth.

United FC coach Sanjoy Sen introduced Ghanaian Yusif Yakubu in place of a dithery Vincent in United FC attack in the 39th minute, but the substitution failed to yield the desired result.

Pawan Kumar stopped a Yakubu shot in the last minute of the opening half and came to Air India's aid once again saving the latter's second attempt after the change of ends.

Joshimar da Silva, the other United FC striker, also failed to surmount the Pawan Kumar barrier seeing his 62nd minute angular attempt cleared acrobatically.

The same was the story with substitute winger Subhas Chakraborty, who could only shake his head in disbelief seeing his sharp attempt cleared by Kumar, who joined Air India this season from JCT Mills after the latter was disbanded following its relegation from I-League.

Apart form losing points from the drawn result, United FC encountered dissent in its ranks when Vincent, without joining his colleagues in the bench, walked out of the stadium visibly disgusted at being substituted (by Yakubu).

Sporting on top

Sporting Clube de Goa made it to the top of the group standings beating Chirag United Kerala by a late goal in the other group ‘D' outing later in the evening. Nigerian midfielder Ogba Kalu found the target in the 85th minute to help Sporting Clube net the full quota of points.

The match e remained a drab exchange with Kalu's goal being the only notable outcome.

Sporting, which beat Air India 2-1 in the previous round, tallied six points from two wins while Prayag United SC, after its draw against Air India earlier in the day, stood close behind on four points.

The two teams meet in the last round of the group league on Thursday to decide the semifinalist.

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