Air India miss chances galore; draw goalless with JCT

Mumbai, Dec 12 (UNI) Air India playing on home turf dominated the match against JCT but could not find the back of the net as the fifth round I League match between the two ended in a goalless draw at the Cooperage Ground here today.

JCT with this draw moved to 11 points with three wins and a draw, while Air India moved to four points with four draws and a loss.

Air India have to blame themselves for not having picked up three points as they missed gilt-edged chances to allow JCT to hold them to a goalless draw.

The match started with Air India on the attack and in the early moments of the match itself they should have been 1-0 up but Njon Jean failed to trap the ball properly inside the penalty box resulting in a weak shot which the rival custodian had no trouble in saving.

Air India had another opportunity to shoot into the lead in the 27th minute when a long pass from the centre found an unmarked Njon Jean but, again he could only manage a weak shot on goal which did not trouble the JCT goal.

JCT, who along with Dempo are the only unbeaten team in the I-League this season, had a chance themselves in the 37th minute when a free kick taken by Marcos found Abdul Lateef Seriki, whose header just missed the goal and went out for a goal kick.

After the change of ends, JCT missed the best chance of the game when in the very first minute of the second half Baldeep Singh's curling kick from the top of the box hit the woodwork and fell out of harm's way to keep the score at 0-0.

Njon Jean then in the 81st minute missed a sitter when he had only the goalkeeper to beat, but again he failed to connect properly for the chance to go abegging.

JCT hung on for the final minutes to come out with a point and retained their unbeaten run, while Air India were left to rue of what could have been.

UNI