KALYANI: Mohammedan SC came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against TRAU FC at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium here on Tuesday. Goals by Komron Tursunov in the 2nd minute and Helder Lobato in first half stoppage time were cancelled out by Nikhil Kadam’s and Hira Mondal’s headers in the 58th and 68th minute respectively, as both teams shared points at the end of the 90 minutes.
The early setback rattled Mohammedan SC and though the Kolkata-based club dominated possession, their lacklustre performance in the final third meant that TRAU FC’s goalkeeper was forced to make easy saves of shots coming mostly from outside the box.
In added time at the end of the first half, TRAU were given a corner and Komron Tursunov’s delivery was thumped home by an unmarked Helder Lobato, who doubled the Manipuri side’s lead going into half-time.
In the 58th minute, a corner for Mohammedan created havoc in the TRAU defence. With no defender able to clear the ball, the chance fell to Nikhil Kadam, whose quick reactions saw him produce a diving header to slot the ball home as the Black Panthers reduced their deficit.
With momentum on their side, it was only a matter of time before Mohammedan pounced for the equalizer. In the 68th minute, that equalizer came after Sarkar found Hira Mondal on the far post with a looping cross and the defender headed home to put the game back to level pegging.
Real Kashmir held: Real Kashmir FC were held to a 1-1 draw by Sudeva Delhi FC Tuesday at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium. A wonder striker by Shaiborlang Kharpan from 35 yards out was cancelled out by Mason Robertson in the 75th minute, as both teams shared the spoils of battle in a cagey match where chances were rare.
Although Real Kashmir dominated possession, the David Robertson-coached team had little to show for their efforts. The half-time scoreline read 0-0 as both teams went into the tunnel on level pegging.
The complexion of the match did not change much in the second half. As both teams played cautiously and rotated possession from wing to wing, chances became rare.
It needed something special to change the complexion of the match and that something special came in the 62nd minute. Shaiborlang Kharpan picked up the ball almost 35 yards out and released an inch-perfect shot which crashed into the right top corner of the net to hand Sudeva Delhi FC the lead. In the 72nd minute, Kharpan tried the spectacular once again, this time his shot went wide as he tried to first-time volley a cross from the left flank.
Real Kashmir however did not have to wait a lot for the equalizer. In the 75th minute, Sena Ralte found Mason Robertson, who had to shoot from a tight angle, but the lanky defender made the most of it and fired his effort between the legs of the opposition custodian to bag a leveller for the Kashmir outfit.
With Real Kashmir drawing 1-1 against Sudeva Delhi FC, Churchill Brothers continue to sit on top of the Hero I-league 2020-21 table with seven points. (Report & images: AIFF).
