The Hindu : Sport / Football : Salgaocar snatches draw

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Salgaocar snatches draw

MUMBAI: Shylo Malsawm Tulunga’s opportunism in the rival goalmouth, combined with dogged defensive play at the back helped Salgaocar SC snatch a 2-2 draw against Mahindra United in the ONGC Cup I-League 14th round match.

After the international striker reacted fast for two goals in the 24th and 64th minute, the Mumbai team equalised through a Mohd. Rafi penalty kick (45th) and substitute Thoi Singh (63rd).

Salgaocar’s tally is now seven points and it remains the bottom-placed team, the points split frustrating Mahindra United (21 points) efforts for inching closer to the top three teams Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers and Jagajit Cotton Textiles. The home team worked hard for the ball, created a lot of chances but the Goan defenders soaked up the pressure, covering up for each other to deny a clear look at the goal.

Shylo left MU goalkeeper no time to respond with a trap and tap goal at the Cooperage. The ball was lobbed forward by Boniface Ambani for the striker to beat Sandip Nandy with a placement. Mohd Rafi, finding it difficult to force his way past the aggressive Goan defence, found the net off a penalty for the equaliser.

Sushil Kumar Singh was brought down by the hard-tackling Salgaocar defence, Rafi converted with a cool head by waiting patiently for custodian Milagrio Medeira to get into position on the goalline and slotting home with a body feint at the point of contact with the ball, driven low and hard into the net at the right post.

Thoi Singh, introduced in place of Rafi, scored a minute after entry. Medeira blocked a Sushil shot on the goalline, Thoi pounced on the rebound by leaping to get his foot to the ball and hit home. Shylo’s second goal, also the second time Salgaocar neutralised the lead a minute after conceding lead, was the best, confirming the ’man of the match’ award for him.

Felix Chimaokwu lifted the ball from the left across the goalmouth, over the heads of the retreating MU defenders. Shylo timed his run so well that he was alone and in place as the ball dropped in the rival goalmouth, then picked out his spot in a flash and beat Nandy with a flick high into the net. The MU goalkeeper went through anxious moments earlier, his defenders did a lot of ball watching during crosses and corners without being able to clear the ball away from the Salgaocar forwards lurking in wait. — Special Correspondent

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