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Chirag United Kerala struck back in the dying moments of the match to bag a precious point against an off colour Salgaocar SC in an entertaining and dramatic eighth round encounter in I-League 2011-12 at the University Stadium, Trivandrum.
Salgaocar were missing first choice goal keeper Karanjit Singh and midfielder Rocus Lamare due to their international commitments with India at the SAFF Chmapionship 2011. But Karim Bencherifa seemed to be not worried about it and began the match without Ryuji Sueoka and Ishfaq Ahamed. Chidi Edeh and Junior Obagbemiro lead the attack for the Goans while defender Rino Anto started his first match after a prolonged lay off due to injury.
For Chirag United Kerala, Sherin Sam came in for defender Charles Dzsiah who was serving a suspension after red card. The Kerala side current leding goal scorer took more of a deeper role as coach Nizam Pakir Ali gve debut to their new import, striker Daivd Sunday from Nigeria. Anil Kumar also played his first game for Chirag at their new home ground at Trivandrum.
Chirag looked more lethal with the signing of their new foreigner and their captain Ajayan, Sunday and Shahabaz Saleel seemed to have gelled together immediately as the start of the match suggested. The trio tried to break the Salgaocar defense early on and Sunday had his effort from close range fisted away for a corner by keeper Vinay Singh in the sixth minute. Minutes later, Anil received the ball from the Nigerian and tried a long ranger that was collected safely by the keeper again.
But it was Salgaocar who went ahead agaisnt the run of play in the 30th minute when Marcus Mascarenhas hit the ball past the advancing Sharath. It was a little harsh on the home side who looked very promising in the first half hour of play. But Chirag did not give up despite going one goal down and they were almost back level four minutes later as Vinay Singh produced yet another terrific save to deny a sitter from David Sunday.
The score remained 1-0 in favour of the away side at the end of the first period of play. Chirag looked threatening even after the break and Bencherifa called on for Ryuji Sueoka in the hope of doubling their led and killing the game off. But, Nizam Ali followed it up by making a decisive move to bring on the more attacking Usmn Ashik in the 70th minute.
It was Ashik who created havoc at the Salgaocar box towards the end of the game with his runs down the left and precise crosses to the middle. Chirag missed two sitters in the 73rd nd 76th minutes as Vineeth CK misfired from an Ashik cross and later, Anil Kumar missed an open goal from close range respectively.
But they were rewarded in the 88th minute as Usman Ashik cleverly created space for Anil Kumar to run in and passed the ball to him who just had to blast the ball into the net. This was Anil Kumar’s first goal for Chirag Kerala in his come back trail and one which would award the home side their first point at home this season.
