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This is an archive article published on December 23, 2010
AIFF XI open account,stun Air India
AIFF XI registered their maiden win in the I-league after getting past an experienced Air India 2-1 at the Tau Devilal Stadium here on Wednesday.
Written by Express News Service
New Delhi | December 23, 2010 02:00 AM IST
4 min read
4 min read
AIFF XI registered their maiden win in the I-league after getting past an experienced Air India 2-1 at the Tau Devilal Stadium here on Wednesday. After three loses and a draw,this side,made up of budding talent,finally proved their detractors wrong.
AIFF XI now has four points from five matches. Air India has three points with three draws and two losses. For all their experience,Air India who trailed 2-0 till injury time managed just a consolation goal.
Air India started off well,getting the better of the passes and the possession in the first 20 minutes,but they faded out as the game progressed. However,even when they dominated they failed to create any scoring opportunities.
They were also made to look ordinary by strong AIFF defenders,who made it difficult for Air India to get a shot on goal during the game.
In the 32nd minute Shilton D Silva nodded in off a free kick taken by Tirthankar Sarkar. Goalkeeper Arup Debnata was left helpless. Just before this an AIFF counter-attack had earned them a corner but Prathamesh Maulingkars header missed the target. The AIFF remained relentless in attack and build some strong moves that put Air India under pressure.
In the 73rd minute Jagtar Singh increased the tally for AIFF.
Subodh Kumar got rid of the ball and forwarded it to Jagtar. Unmarked,Jagtar put the ball past Debnata. Substitute Samson Singh scored Air Indias only goal in injury time.
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AIFF made five changes to their side. This is a talented side. These boys just need to gain some experience, AIFF coach Desmond Bulpin said.
AIFF defender Maulingkar,who played his first game,was awarded the Man of the Match. He looked nervous at the start but did really well. I thought our defence was superb throughout,although we have missed a lot of chances upfront, added Bulpin after the match.
Pune hope for first win
Pune Football Club will be keen to register their first win when they take on ONGC in a round five match of the I-League at Rajashri Shahu Stadium at Kolhapur. Having lost to Mumbai FC at the same venue a fortnight ago,the Pune outfit did well to hold Viva Kerala away while in the last match they denied Chirag United a victory at home.
The Mumbai side might be lying on the 12th spot in the standings with two points from four matches but Pune coach Derrick Pereira does not want to take their opponents lightly.
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They have not conceded goals easily and the losses they suffered were narrow, Pereira said. Pune FC will be without the services of striker Edmar Figuera and will thus rely on Arata Izumi,who has two goals to his credit and Mandjou Keita upfront to get past ONGC.
Edmar is on the road to recovery,but until the striker is 100 per cent fit the team think tank are in no mood to fielding him. ONGC have strikers in N D Opara,Badmus Babatunde,experienced medio Jatin Bisht and goalkeeper Rajat Ghosh Dastidar.
Chirag hope to beat HAL
Chirag United would look to make amends in the defence and bag full points when they take on Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd,Bangalore in a round five I-League match at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan,Kolkata. In their last match,Chirag United drew the first blood but allowed Pune FC to come back in a match that missed the services of stopper Arnab Mondal and right-back Jerri Zirsangha .
With the duo back in the fold,Chirags backline will get a boost,while their mid-field Denson Devadas will also return in the starting line-up to bolster the side. But their coach Subrata Bhattacharya still indisposed,Sanjan Sen will be in-charge of the side as they will look to return to winning ways.
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