Date:31/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/31/stories/2007073161692100.htm

Sport - Football

India finishes unbeaten on the tour of Portugal

New Delhi: India held GDR Monsanto to goalless draw in its last outing on the tour of Portugal and returned home unbeaten.

Thanks to custodian Subrata Paul’s two brave saves in the first half and the brilliant work by the defence led by Mahesh Gawli, India kept a clean slate in the match played at the city of Torres Novas on Sunday.

The draw was significant as star striker Baichung Bhutia, who scored four goals in the last two games, did not take the field due to a minor injury.

Besides, India played most part of the match without striker Sunil Chetri, who was substituted in the first half.

Tarif Ahmed and Manjit Singh kept penetrating the Monsanto defence but were unable to get any breakthrough.

In its previous matches on the tour, India scored creditable victories over Recreative Agueda (3-0) and AC Marinhense (3-2) apart from playing out a 1-1 draw against Odivelas FC. — PTI