United Sikkim FC hold Mohammedan Sporting 1-1 in IFA Shield
Mohammedan Sporting drew the first blood through Rakesh Masih in the eighth minute, but their joy was short-lived with United Sikkim FC equalising through S Adelaja within two minutes.
I-League team Mohammedan Sporting played out a 1-1 draw against second division side United Sikkim FC in a display of missed chances in a group II IFA Shield fixture here today.
Mohammedan Sporting drew the first blood through Rakesh Masih in the eighth minute, but their joy was short-lived with USFC equalising through S Adelaja within two minutes.
Thereafter, it was a game of missed opportunities and stand-out goalkeeping by USFC's Dibyendu Sarkar who denied Mohammedan Sporting's efforts to surge ahead.
Masih struck from Ishfaq Ahmed's cross from left while Adelaja brought it on level deceiving Mohammedan Sporting defender R Dhanarajan.
With Rahim Nabi, Ashim Biswas and Rakesh Masih creating the opportunities, Mohammedan Sporting went all out but the Gangtok outfit held on.
Nabi had a fine effort at the target with a powerful header in the 74th minute, but Sarkar saved from close.
Immediately after coming in place of Biswas, Joshimar d'Silva Martins chased for the all-important goal brilliantly dodging the USFC defence. The burly Brazilian forward had a fine left-footed shot but it was level-headed Sarkar who again did a fine save.
Meanwhile, the organisers Indian Football Association confirmed that the two foreign teams -- Geylang International FC of Singapore and Bangladesh side Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club -- would arrive by tomorrow morning and there would be no further change to the remainder of the fixture.
"But we would reschedule the first two matches -- United SC vs Geylang and Mohun Bagan vs Dhanmondi -- which could not be held as per schedule," IFA secretary Utpal Ganguli said.