New Delhi: Air India, down to 10 men, held defending champions Dempo SC to a goalless draw in a 16th round I-League fixture at the Cooperage Stadium, Mumbai.
The result helps both the sides climb up a place in the league ladder with Air India now on seventh spot while Dempo on fourth. Air India missing several key men from the line-up introduced Bijoy Basfore and Amulya Mondal for the first time this season and thy formed the back-line.
Dempo SC started with a 4-4-1-1 formation with Beto playing behind Ranti Martins in the attack. Cresson Antao came in for John Dias who had a double booking. The match started and the first chance fell for the Airmen from a throw-in.
Uttam Singh's ball from the right was headed by Kailash Patil towards Michael Tayo but the ball was cleared in time. Clifford Miranda wasn't given the space on the left flank as right back Bijoy Basfore kept in check though he was booked for fouling the former in the 21st minute.
The resultant free-kick from the right by Samir Naik was headed by Beto from the far post with no hite shirt being present to take the pieces. Anthony Pereira's floater from the right was missed by Beto as goalkeeper Arup Debnath tipped it over the bar.
Dempo were having problems in clearing the throw-ins of Uttam Singh. At the other end, Ranti Martins wasn't given any breathing space by defender Amulya Mondal. The Air India number 17 did everything possible to keep the Nigerian under check.
The Goan side were left frustrated and so the two wingers – Clifford Miranda and Anthony Pereira switched flanks.The second session and the first opportunity went Dempo's way with Clifford Miranda's curling free-kick from the left being headed out by Climax Lawrence.
In the 50th minute, Kailash Patil worked the ball on the right and got the better of Samir Naik to get inside the box. His cross was headed by Gauranga Biswas straight to the goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal. Armando Colaco brought in Jerry Jirsanga for an off-colour Clifford Miranda at the hour mark.
The winger was brought down by Bijoy Basfore and he earned his second yellow of the match and made his way out. With Air India being a man down, the strategies of the two coaches instantly changed.
Bimal Ghosh substituted striker Kailash Patil for midfielder Surojit Roy with Gauranga Biswas now being switched to the right back slot. Dempo midfielder Nascimento Silviera made way for striker Peter Carvalho.
Dempo went for the kill but were denied twice in succession by the Air India custodian Arup Debnath. Anthony Pereira's cornerkick from the right was headed by Ranti Martins with Beto's final shot being put for a corner by Arup Debnath.
Once again, it was Anthony's flagkick and the ball went to Samir Naik whose pass to Ranto saw a bicycle kick from the Nigerian which was saved by Debnath yet again. Thereby, Beto headed the ball wide twice with Anthony Pereira being the provider.
The final chance of the game saw Climax Lawrence's left footer go wide after some good work by Beto, Peter Carvalho and Ranti Martins. Air India wasted the final few minutes with two substitutions. This was the third successive goalless draw which was dished out to the Mumbai fans.
One hopes that the Mahindra United- Mohammedan Sporting game is full of goals.
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