JCT courage holds Bagan in draw

This despite Bagan’s dominating position, which JCT coach Sukhwinder readily accepted. Sukhwinder appreciated his young players who retained their composure to snatch the opportunity to counter. The strategy led to an exciting first half, watched by some 16,000 spectators despite no Goan side playing today.

A disappointed Mohun Bagan coach PK Banerjee lamented his side’s failure to translate their overwhelming position into goals but appreciated an honest effort by his players. “We know JCT’s game so well and played accordingly. But the last act in front of goal was sorely missing,” Banerjee reflected.

That about summed it all. The chances fell Bagan’s way in torrents. Chima Okerie, shaking off a hamstring injury, went close on three occasions. A late burst by Jo Paul Ancheri, playing withdrawn to accommodate IM Vijayan who returned from an injury-induced lay-off, all but fetched a goal.

But the misses must not obscure a splendid performance by JCT ‘keeper Virendra Singh who capped a good day’s work with a timely touch to thwart Ancheri’s menacing 30-yard effort with only seconds remaining.

And Bagan’s territorial superiority in no way should eclipse JCT’s moments in the match that had their rival defence on tenterhooks — and made sure that Hemanta Dora in goal did not have a day off.

Strikers Hardeep Sanga and Surjit Singh threatened frequently. Their ploy to snatch and bolt upfield often spelt danger amid the Bagan ranks, where for a change, Kenyan star Samuel Omollo made two glaring errors — a misjudged off-side trap and an unsuccessful appeal after attempting to shepherd the ball over the sideline. Daljit Singh, who gleefully accepted Omollo’s gift, failed to punish Bagan for the lapse.

Bagan’s frustration showed itself in three yellow cards, brooked by the normally disciplined mid-fielder Satyajit Chatterjee, Nigerian Adebayo Badabo and Ancheri.

East Bengal hold the edge

East Bengal, the only unbeaten side in the competition, must start favourites against FC Kochin tomorrow — that is, if one discounts the law of averages.

The Calcutta side humbled the Kerala professional side 2-0 and 3-1 in the first phase of the NFL, and naturally enjoy the psychological edge. But East Bengal coach Manoranjan Bhattacharya considers FC Kochin a very talented side and an even match cannot be ruled out.

East Bengal, with an imposing 19-2 goal record have no room for complacency, says Bhattacharya.

The big names give East Bengal, second in the last season, an awesome look. Bhaichung Bhutia, top scorer at the moment, Raman Vijayan (8 goals), Carlton Chapman, talented African find Opuku Smmamel and India international Tushar Rakshit boost their ranks.

Mid-fielder Rennedy Singh is out of the match, nursing a hamstring injury. FC Kochin coach Sreedharan views a shock 0-1 defeat in the concluding first phase match to Indian Telephone Industries (ITI), Bangalore, in perspective. “Our lads did not want to risk injury, it appeared, and since we had already qualified, they attempted to play safe,” he said.

“ITI were very motivated to avoid relegation and played all out,” the coach added. Two foreign players were given a chance to prove themselves, Sreedharan informed. “But I am sorry to say, wing-back Eugene and mid-fielder Keith, who play in the American league, were failures,” Sreedharan explained.