Air-India fail to capitalise on lead

With internationals Godfrey Pereira and Jeevan Moras in their ranks, Air-India had a formidable look. N Khentang, P J Jose and Pereira lead the Air-India attack supported well by Moras and Subir Sinha, the Man of the Match.

There was nothing in the match which suggested a contest because there was more blood and rough play than any imaginative moves from both sides.

Air-India defender Henry Picardo went for a header to thrawt JCT’s Emeka Achilefu and both ended up with bleeding heads. They returned to the field after first aid but it was Picardo who took the brunt of the collision. But Picardo had a great game, only stopping in the sidelines toclean the blood away and use fresh bandage.

Moreover, JCT’s Manjit Singh and Moosa Aliu were shown yellow cards for dangerous tackle and Air-India goalkeeper Shyam M Sawant was also given a yellow card for delaying tactics.

It were the League leaders who struck first when in the 13th minute Jose took advantage of a chip from Anthony Fernandes to slot home.

JCT kept pressing for an equaliser, but Air-India defence was tough to breach. While their Nigerian stars, Stephan Abarowei and Emeka were tightly marked, Jasbir Singh, Harjinder Singh and Bhupinder Singh, who was the most outstanding JCT player today, led the attack. Fed by the Nigerians, they often came up with good moves. Their efforts paid dividend in the 85th minute when Sukhdev Singh was fed by Tarsem Lal from the right. Sawant advanced to cut off the pass, but Sukhdev was quick enough to tap it into the empty goal.