New Delhi: In what can be called as one of the most listless games of the league this season, Mahindra United and JCT played out a goalless draw at the Cooperage Stadium, Mumbai in a 15th round I-League encounter.
Mahindra United started with an unusual 3-5-2 formation which was different from their 4-4-2 style. Goalkeeper Subashish Chowdhury injured himself during the warm-up before the match and hence Amit Nandy got his first start of the league.
With a completely new backline with the exception of Anwar, JCT started with Gurwinder as a stopperback while Harish Sharma and Baldeep Singh Junior were the wing backs.
The first chance of the game went the home side's way as Sukhwinder Singh released Steven Dias on the right. The Indian international's cross was met by Sushil Kumar but Gurwinder Singh intervened at the far post in the 13th minute.
Thereafter, the game was played in the midfield with neither side being able to create anything worthwhile. The 3-5-2 didn't work for the Red Devils.
Mispasses were the trend for both sides and none on the pitch made an attempt to keep the ball at their feet.
At the half hour mark, Harish Sharma's ball to Baljit Sahni on the left was laid for Jagpreet by the latter. The JCT number 7's left footed strike wasn't well collected by Mahindra custodian Amit Nandy.
The Jeepmen's plan changed in the 34th minute as Krishnan Ajayan was stretchered out with Chidi Edeh making an appearance.
At the start of the second session, JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh brought on Paul MacJames for Balwant Singh.
The Punjab side was caught napping for a moment when Anwar's mistake could have cost his side. Douhou's chip from the center was misadjudged by Anwar and the final shot of Chidi found the feet of goalkeeper Karanjit Singh to go out for a corner.
Mahindra did try and turn on the game but weren't able to create any openings and when they did, it was the same old story. Debabrata's pass to Chidi on the left ended with the ball in the back of the net but the linesman ruled it as offside.
JCT tried to inject some pace by brining in Amandeep Singh for Sakatar Singh on the right but it didn't change the happenings of the game.
Derrick Pereira replaced Steven Dias with N.P.Pradeep as the former wasn't adding anything to the team's game in the second session.
Douhou Pierre's shot from inside the box saw Karanjit Singh spill it but did well to collect it on time.
Chidi Edeh sent in a perfect through ball for Douhou Pierre but Anwar made up for his earlier mistake with an excellent tackle inside the box.
The match ended with the same scoreline and the final whistle sounded relieving to many.
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