Md Sporting stumble in opener amid crowd trouble

Barreto equalised from the spot and trouble broke out in the terraces. Md Sporting fans protested the decision by throwing missiles and pelting stones onto the pitch but the cops were quick to react.

The police had taken a lot of flak after the I-League fixture between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal had to be called off on December 9 last year due to crowd violence. This time,however,they were alert and nipped trouble in the bud. Play resumed after a 14-minute stoppage.

Chapman sent off

Earlier,Ajay Singh gave Md Sporting the lead in third minute of first half added-time. Bhawanipore coach Carlton Chapman protested vehemently as the fourth official had shown two minutes to be added on. Unaware about the rules stating a minimum of two minutes,Chapman took his protest a little too far and received his marching orders.

Md Sporting have qualified for the I-League this season and built a big-budget team under new coach Abdul Aziz. A 1-1 draw in their first match,albeit in the local league,will put him under pressure.