Air India settles for a 1-1 draw against Md Sporting

Barasat, West Bengal, Sep 29 (UNI) Theodore Sunday again staged a rescue act as Mohammedan Sporting salvaged a vital point in their ONGC I-League debut, drawing 1-1 against Air India at the Vidyasagar Stadium here tonight.

Air India striker Surojit Roy scored the first goal in the 22nd minute to silence thecheering crowd, who turned up in thousands to support the Black and Whites.

Former MD Sporting player Surojit, shot in after Michael Tayo made all the good work to crack the defence, which fumbled at the pace of the African.

Stung by the reverse, Md Sporting duo Mike Okoro and Sunday made some forays but their attempts were foiled at the goalmouth due to a firm defence line headed by M Farid.

Md Sporting had to wait for next 37 minutes for an equaliser and the opportunity came in the 59th minute when Jotikumar was floored by a simple tackle in the mid-field.

His shot from the left flank was deftly controlled by Sunday on his right foot and his leftfooter levelled the score amidst cheers from the home supporters.

The Liberian was the top scorer with 11 goals in the local league that mainly earned Md Sproting the runners up spot behind champions Mohun Bagan.

Air India had got another chance for a score as substitute Subash Singh's header was brilliantly fisted out by Nashim Akhtar in the 72nd minute.

Md Sporting's Adebayo Adewusi, who first appeared for the side, was named man-of-the match.

Air India coach Bimal Ghosh and his Md Sporting counter part both praised their boys respectively. Ghosh was happy that his boys game him first point, that too in away match.

In the first round Kolkata sides had mixed results, while East Bengal earned full three points, Mohun Bagan drew blank after a 1-2 defeat to Mumbai FC.

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