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I-League: Air India & Sporting Play Out Dull Stalemate
The game produced very few memorable moments...
05-Mar-2010 5:25:00 PM
By Rahul Bali
A lower half clash between Air India and Sporting Clube de Goa ended 1-1 at the Cooperage on Friday, as Sporting again failed to win their first game of the season, while Air India are now unbeaten in three league games. The Mumbai side opened the scoring through Allan Dias in the 34th minute, but Nicholas Rodrigues' penalty in first half injury time restored parity, with the second half producing little entertainment.
Air India coach Yusuf Ansari, Goal.com's Manager of the Month for February, had the luxury of choosing his best eleven as Behnam Foroughirad made his first appearance after the injury he suffered earlier in the season. His counterpart had Junior Elijah on the bench as Agnelo Colaco partnered Nathaniel Amos upfront.
It was a dull start to the game as neither side were interested in committing more men forward. Dada Nabeel initiated a counterattack from his own half and found Opara, whose pass was blocked in time by Kenji Arai before the former HAL striker could have tapped in.
Praneel Mendon had an opportunity after Sporting failed to clear the corner-kick but the midfielder sent the ball wide from just outside the box.
The best chance of the half befell the visiting side as the Flaming Oranje had two back-to-back opportunities. Adil Khan foxed Allan Dias and found Amos whose chip saw Chinta Chandrashekhar’s shot being blocked by Kunal Sawant. The rebound went as far as Agnelo Colaco with the Air India custodian depriving Sporting once more. Bibiano sent in a tame shot when he had the goal to aim at in the 19th minute.
Uttam Singh’s throw-ins were the main attacking threat for the home side as Opara flicked it for Allan Dias, who coolly slotted to put his side ahead.
The scoreline would have remained the same at half-time had Peter Odafe not handled the ball inside the area which gave referee S. Suresh no option but to point to the spot. Nicholas Rodrigues placed to the goalkeeper’s right and thus, restored parity for his team.
The second session saw neither team come up with any chances as none of them created a clear cut chance. The ball was played in the midfield with overcooked passes being the trend.
Air India coach Yusuf Ansari, Goal.com's Manager of the Month for February, had the luxury of choosing his best eleven as Behnam Foroughirad made his first appearance after the injury he suffered earlier in the season. His counterpart had Junior Elijah on the bench as Agnelo Colaco partnered Nathaniel Amos upfront.
It was a dull start to the game as neither side were interested in committing more men forward. Dada Nabeel initiated a counterattack from his own half and found Opara, whose pass was blocked in time by Kenji Arai before the former HAL striker could have tapped in.
Praneel Mendon had an opportunity after Sporting failed to clear the corner-kick but the midfielder sent the ball wide from just outside the box.
The best chance of the half befell the visiting side as the Flaming Oranje had two back-to-back opportunities. Adil Khan foxed Allan Dias and found Amos whose chip saw Chinta Chandrashekhar’s shot being blocked by Kunal Sawant. The rebound went as far as Agnelo Colaco with the Air India custodian depriving Sporting once more. Bibiano sent in a tame shot when he had the goal to aim at in the 19th minute.
Uttam Singh’s throw-ins were the main attacking threat for the home side as Opara flicked it for Allan Dias, who coolly slotted to put his side ahead.
The scoreline would have remained the same at half-time had Peter Odafe not handled the ball inside the area which gave referee S. Suresh no option but to point to the spot. Nicholas Rodrigues placed to the goalkeeper’s right and thus, restored parity for his team.
The second session saw neither team come up with any chances as none of them created a clear cut chance. The ball was played in the midfield with overcooked passes being the trend.
Goalscorers:
Air India - Allan Dias (34')
Sporting Clube de Goa - Nicholas Rodrigues (45'+3 pen)
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