Air India escape with lucky draw against Viva Kerala

Mumbai: A late penalty strike from N D Opara helped hosts Air India split points with visitors Viva Kerala in a 20th round I-League match at the Cooperage ground here today. Skipper M P Sakeer converted a penalty in the 5th minute to give Viva Kerala an early lead, but Opara`s strike in the 82nd minute restored parity for the hosts. With this draw, Viva Kerala have 25 points from 20 matches while the hosts have 24 points in as many matches. The match began with the visitors, who are unbeaten since losing 0-3 to Pune FC in the 11th round, registering themselves on the score-sheet within minutes of the start. Skipper Sakeer ensured that Viva Kerala surged ahead by converting a penalty awarded after Rueben Senyo was brought down. Five minutes later Air India had a chance to equalise, but an unmarked striker Kailash Patil failed to utilise Uttam Singh`s cross from the left. Air India enjoyed ball possession for a large part of the match but were unable to create too many close chances. With time running out, the hosts brought in Reuben D`Souza for Yusuf Abraham Tijani and S Henry Gangte for Praneel Mendon. The home team finally escaped with a lucky draw when it earned a penalty after Kailash Patil, who was soon replaced by S James Singh, was brought down by Bello Rasaq. PTI