New Delhi: Air India continued their unbeaten run at the Cooperage Stadium on Friday as they held Mahindra United 1-1 in an eighth round I-League encounter.
With this result, Airmen continue to occupy the second spot with 15 points in their kitty while Mahindra United are with eight points in as many games.
Mahindra United made one change in their starting line-up by including Steven Dias for Douhou Pierre who was ruled out due to a thigh strain.
Air India brought on Santosh Koli and Gauranga Biswas for Napoleon Singh and Soccer Velho.
Just four minutes into the game and Mahindra United’s Debabrata Roy twisted his ankle and was substituted three minutes later by Paresh Shivalkar. N.P.Pradeep moved into the empty left back position.
The first chance fell to Air India off a Ravinder Singh free-kick as Gauranga Biswas headed straight out to Mahindra custodian Subashish Chowdhury.
Mahindra had the bulk of the possession and Sushant Matthew’s lofted cross from the left hit the far post and went out of play.
Sunil Kumar of the Red Devils was allowing far too much space for Ravinder Singh and the latter’s crosses were a menace for the tenth placed side.
Starting his first game in three matches, Steven Dias looked lively and shot straight at Air India’s Arup Debnath.
Towards the end of the first half, Mahindra sprung into action and had their moments. A Steven Dias shot from the right enforced a save from Arup Debnath.
It was a half where the Jeepmen would feel that they should have done more with the ball. Air India kept battling with their men canceling out every attacking initiative of their opposition.
Five minutes into the second half, Surojit Roy and Subashish Chowdhury went for a 50-50 ball and the former managed to score. Mahindra United were awarded a goal-kick and the goal was disallowed.
The very next minute Sushil Kumar headed the ball to Arup Debnath after some good work by Paresh Shivalkar.
The 53rd minute saw Mahindra surge ahead with Sunil Kumar’s cross from the right being headed in by Sushil Kumar to the near post. It was his fourth goal in the league.
Thereafter, Air India coach Bimal Ghosh brought on Emmanuel Ovieghara for Kailash Patil.
Mahindra custodian Subahish Chowdhury looked shaky as he dropped the ball at Ovieghara’s feet but managed to recover jut when the Nigerian was to pull the trigger.
The goalscorer from the last game Samson Singh was introduced for Surojit Roy. Gauranga Biswas initiated a fine counterattack and released Ovieghara but the striker with only the goalkeeper to beat shot it wide.
The equaliser came in the 68th minute as Uttam Singh’s throw-in from the right was cleared by a Mahindra defender only as far as Subhash Singh who sent in a fierce right footer to see the ball zoom into the net.
Air India had the best chance to win the game and snap the three points but Samson Singh missed an open chance. The move started once again through an Uttam Singh throw-in, this time from the left, with Ovieghara heading the ball for Samson at the far post to slot it in but was missed.
Mahindra United too had their opportunity to win their first home game but blew it away. Chidi headed the ball in Shivalkar’s way but goalkeeper Arup Debnath reached first to block the ball.
Sushant Matthew picked up the pieces and had an excellent chance to shoot from 20 yards but his shot was stopped as well. The ball went as far as Sukhwinder Singh whose final right footer went wide.
The 91st minute saw Steven sent in a pinpointed cross for Chidi who headed for Paresh Shivalkar. The former Air India player headed and was denied by Arup Debnath who tripped it over the bar.
It was disappointment for Mahindra United who for the second consecutive game allowed the opposition to come back after taking the lead.
Air India did well to equalise and felt that they were undone by the referee’s decisions.
Final Score: 1-1
Goalscorer Mahindra: Sushil Kumar (53rd min)
Goalscorer Air India: Subhash Singh (68th min)
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