A-I, East Bengal dish out a draw

CALCUTTA, January 17: Air-India and East Bengal played a 1-1 draw in a Philips National Football League match at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, here, today.

After a barren first half which saw exciting soccer, Air-India went ahead with a 68th minute PJ Jose goal. However, eleven minutes later, the home side equalised through a beautiful curving flag-kick taken by Somatai Saiza. The score remained that way till the end and capacity crowd had a reason to feel that they had received their money’s worth although their team had been compelled to share points in a home tie.

Air-India thus have 13 points from seven matches while East Bengal eight from six games, not counting their abandoned tie against Churchill Brothers.Air-India might not be a mine of talent, but they amply made up with their hard work and cohesiveness. Perhaps that is why they have been so successful in the league so far.