Blunders cost Mahindras two points in barren draw

MUMBAI, JANUARY 28: Local favourites Mahindras and Goa's pride Salgaocar were locked in a dull barren draw in the Coca-Cola National Footb...

MUMBAI, JANUARY 28: Local favourites Mahindras and Goa8217;s pride Salgaocar were locked in a dull barren draw in the Coca-Cola National Football League at The Cooperage on Friday.

With this division of points, Mahindras retain their third place on the league ladder with 18 points and Salgaocar continue to retain their fourth slot with 17 points at the end of the first-leg.

In the press briefing after the game, Mahindra make-shift coach Harish Rao stated that striker Manjit Singh, who muffed two sitters, was going through a bad phase and had not scored in 11 games. 8220;Jordanian Sameer Jamil, normally a midfielder who played as a stopper today, policed Salgaocar8217;s Brazilian striker Joao Dos Santos well,8221; he added. 8220;We lost two points today,8221; Rao lamented.

Salgaocar coach Shabbir Ali was happy with the point, that came after two successive defeats. 8220;We played better in the second half but the hard uneven ground conditions did not suit his players and we missed Bruno Coutinho who is in bad shape,8221; hequipped.

Mahindras came by their first chance in the 18th minute. Khalid Siddique drilled a fine opening for striker Manjit Singh. The latter lost control in a one-to-one situation with Salgoacar goalkeeper Juje Siddi and muffed the fine chance.

In the 32nd minute too, Manjit had an open chance after receiving a long through pass by Bassam Khatib. But Manjit shot wide after being challenged by the goalkeeper, who had left his charge.

Salgaocar8217;s lone opening in the first half came in the 42nd minute. Alvito D8217;Cunha and Dharamjit Singh combined to a nicety on the left flank. But Alvito8217;s goalmouth cross was cut off by Mahindra goalkeeper Virender before striker Joao Dos Santos could pounce on the ball.

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In the second half, Bassam Khatib was twice foiled by goalkeeper Siddi. First, Siddi tipped over the ball after Khatib had chested goalwards following a Siddique cross from the left. Next, a 30-yard attempt by Khatib was safely collected by Siddi.

Salgaocar8217;s best try came in the 72nd minute. But HabibAdekunle had the mortification of seeing his 20-yard piledriver being punched over goalkeeper Virender.

Satish Minz muffed a fine chance in the dying minutes of the game for Mahindras. He was unmarked and tried a header instead of tapping the ball home.

In the second phase of the competition, Mahindras meet State Bank of Travancore on February 1 in Trivandrum and play East Bengal at home on February 7. Salgaocar take on East Bengal at home on February 3.