Air India and ITI share points

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE, APRIL 20. Indian Telephone Industries' (ITI) footballing fortunes this season has been as fickle as the present Bangalore weather. And the scrappy encounter that was played in spells of drizzle and bright sunshine here on Friday in a National Football League fixture at the Football Stadium, produced a 1-1 draw and sharing of points that neither Air India nor the host would complain about.

The rains that have been lashing Bangalore for the past week and more have rendered the field heavy. And with the ball skidding and stopping, both the teams had their share of problems.

If Air India surged into the lead, it was in a session, the first, that it dominated and even led the host to a merry dance. However, ITI restored parity in the second session and even had chances of pocketing the three points that would matter dearly in case of relegation.

Air India coach Bimal Ghosh had, on the eve of the match, had said that he would be happy with a draw. But there was no hiding his glee when striker Anthony Fernandes booted home a `gift' of a goal.

Sunil Kumar, the ITI wing-back who had a forgettable match by his standards, tapped a gentle Khenthang Paite cross onto Anthony who wasted little time in shooting past Mark Mascarenhas under the ITI goal, in the 25th minute.

The Mumbai side, languishing among the also rans this season, put up a plucky defence with the handful of Manipuris keeping the ITI foreign recruits-Kenneth Ugwo, George Ekeh and Rwanda's Jimmy Mulasi-under tight leash.

Jimmy the long legged striker, had a few good chances but frittered them all away with ungainly positioning. Ekeh too was ineffective in the first half.

But it all changed on resumption. ITI attacked with vigour and the bringing in of Rishi Kapoor for Sunil Kumar and Kenneth Raj for Jimmy provided the dash and depth up front. Rishi time and again overlapped causing confusion in the rival goal- mouth.

With ITI's attack gaining momentum, desperation seeped into the Air India defence. And it was one such instance that helped ITI equalise.

A Gyanprakash shot rebounded off the defence which failed to clear the ball and after a couple of wild kicks fell onto the path of Kenneth Ugwo, who this time around, made no mistake.

The goal did inspire the Telephonemen who attacked in waves, but the rival stoppers stood their ground. At the other end, substitute Narendra Meetei did glance a high cross from Henry Pichardo into the far corner, only to see linesman Basheer of Kerala, signalling offside.

ITI now has 21 points from 20 outings (four wins, nine draws). Air India is placed two slots below, at 10th with 18 points from 21 matches (four wins, six draws).

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Steve Waugh: the lost frontier and after
Next     : Barreto's brace sinks Salgaocar