Kolkata: Air India and Chirag United played out a lacklustre goal-less draw in a round three match of the 4th I-League at Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday.
Chirag United missed plenty of chances with their Nigerian recruit Junior Elijah squandering near the post more than once as the home team showed no creativity against the less-experienced Mumbai outfit that played with one foreigner.
With Chirag United showing no sense of urgency, the first half saw a lacklustre display as both the teams were content with not conceding a goal.
Subrata Bhattacharya`s boys were slow to start with and took time to gather pace even as the airmen`s defence held on.
With no goal in sight, what stood out in the first half was Yusuf Ansari`s show of dissent in the middle as the Air India coach was told to leave the field by referee Magho Singh in the 32nd minute.
Towards the end of first half, Chirag looked to attack and even found the back of the net twice -- once through Junior Elijah and another through Jerry Zirsanga -- but only to be ruled off-side by the linesman.
Chirag had two more chances before going into the break but Denson Devadas`s left-footer from the edge of the box missed an open net, while in another move Elijah too failed to score from a Chika Wali pass.
Air India got a solitary chance in the 42nd minute but their only foreigner on the day, Yusuf Ibrahim, messed it up near the goalmouth in what could have been a brilliant goal.
After the changeover, there was no change to the Chirag`s script as Elijah continued with his blunders, while his
partner Joshimar too was ineffective upfront.
Chirag`s best chance came in the 74th minute when Elijah missed an open net as no Air India defender was in sight.
Joshimar did sparkle with some fine crosses but he did not find enough support to capitalise as Bhattacharya`s boys had to settle for a tame draw.
Chirag now have four points, while Air India have two.
PTI
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