Date:20/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/20/stories/2006042004581900.htm

Sport - Football

Air-India, JCT split points

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: Air-India gave Jagatjit Cotton Textiles (JCT) a scare before settling for a split of points, following a goalless draw, in the 10th National Football League for the ONGC Cup. AI defender Uttam Singh, a throw-in specialist with the power and technique to hurl the ball deep into the goalmouth, created two opportunities but no goals materialised.

Both teams have 14 points off 11 league games after this no-show in terms of goals, compared to the exciting fare witnessed in previous NFL matches at the Cooperage. Bashiru Abbas, the Nigerian striker in AI forwardline, anticipated the setpiece situation off the Manipur player's throw-in and executed an overhead kick. The ball flew wide off target, JCT custodian Kalyan Choubey counting his blessings.

Suley Musah was in position to connect another Uttam Singh special in the second session, this time Choubey was alert to the threat. The JCT goalkeeper, alert otherwise, created a moment of panic when misjudging the bounce in the first half, defender Narinder Singh stepped in to clear the ball before Bashiru could do any damage.

Paresh Shivalkar, the in-form AI forward, made an impression, starting with a shot on the run in the 18th minute after having darted past a JCT defender. Shivalkar again got into position for a crack at target following a Bashiru flag-kick, this time Choubey thwarted the header, leading to a melee. Luckily for the Phagwara side, Narendra Meetei and Santosh Koli's attempts to bury the ball into the net were futile.

JCT's Marcos Pareira came close to scoring for the visitors, the Brazilian's snap attempt in the 78th minute tackled by AI goalkeeper Raju Ekka. Mahindra United will take on East Bengal in a decisive NFL encounter on Thursday.