I-LEAGUE Media Team
NEW DELHI: Salgaocar Football Club settled for a 1-1 draw against Pune FC in their opening match of the Hero I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday.
Pune FC took the lead in the first session through the boots of Anthony D’Souza while Salgaocar saved themselves the blushes with the equalizer in the 80th minute.
Salgaocar took the field without their regular strikers, Darryl Duffy and Dawson Fernandes, both of whom were injured and the onus of playing as the lone man upfront fell on Douhou Pierre. The Ivorian tried his best but it was not a surprise that he could not do much since the supply from the midfield was restricted.
Pune FC, on the other hand, started with a blaze and caught their opposition napping.
Pune’s best chance came as early as the sixth minute when a quick counter saw Thongkhosiem Haokip punt the ball inside the net from a crowded goalmouth but the assistant referee spotted an infringement, prompting the referee to award the penalty. Ryuji Sueoka stepped up but his attempt was saved by a diving Salgaocar goalkeeper Subrata Paul.
Pune took that setback on their chin and continued to work hard. Midfielder Izumi Arata created several chances but could not find a way past Subrata.
The Salgaocar defence finally crumbled at the stroke of half time when Anthony D’Souza snatched a ball from Salgaocar defender Francis Kasonde and worked his way down the left flank, where he took aim and beat the Salgaocar goalkeeper with a powerful left footer.
Salgaocar were far from their best and could not create too many chances. Their first chance came midway into the first session when Douhou flicked the ball on to the path of Bikash Jairu but the Sikkimese midfielder was thwarted in the nick of time by Pune defender Zohmingliana Ralte.
In the second session, Salgaocar tried to claw their way back with a couple of substitutions and one of their substitutes – Gilbert Oliveira – got the equalizer in the 80th minute when Douhou capitalized on a defensive lapse and laid the ball on the platter for Gilbert to tap inside an empty goal.
