JCT hold Chirag in goal-less affair

Kolkata: Chirag United missed chances aplenty as they were held to a goal-less draw by an equally unimpressive JCT in a round seven I-League match at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Thursday. Chirag now have 10 points from seven outings, while JCT are on five points from as many matches. With the frontline missing the services of Elijah Junior who was injured in the match against Dempo, Chirag United lacked firepower up front with Joshimar Da Silva Martins missing his regular partner. Brought in place of Junior, Branco Cardozo partnered Joshimar up front, but the two did not have the desired coordination as Chirag missed many chances against. Early into the start, Denson Devadas squandered an easy chance after he failed to head home a Lalkamal Bhowmick freekick in the third minute. Chirag’s midfield sparkled in patches, but Joshimar and Branco were either late to respond or lacked in application. Their best opportunity came in the 27th minute from a curling Lalkamal freekick, but Branco missed an open net as he was replaced by Mohammad Rafique after the break. In an equally lacklustre second half, Chirag players failed to convert the half chances. Durand Cup hero, Rafique, who scored the matchwinner in the final against the same opponents, after being brought in the second half, had a few chances but lacked finishing skill. In a 63rd-minute move, Rafique, from the right flank, delivered a cross but Gouranga Biswas muffed it. PTI