Durand Cup Football: DSK Shivajians' Winning Streak Halted By Indian Navy

Unbeaten in the Durand Cup, Indian Navy held DSK Shivajians to a 3-3 draw on Friday. With seconds left for the final whistle, striker Irshad equalised for Indian Navy with a crisp shot. The Pune based DSK Shivajians now has 7 points from three matches and is topping the Pool and is favourite to enter the semi final. Indian Navy is second with six points from four matches.

In a pool B match Aizawal Fc scraped past gallant Indian Air Force (IAF) 1-0. The match winner was scored by striker Bright Middleton in the 35th minute. Aizawl now tops group B with six points from two matches. IAF is on one point from two matches.

Indian Navy started positively and went ahead in the 4th minute through midfielder Bibake Thapa. DSK then took control of the game and went 3-1 ahead early in the second half. Central midfielder Rohit Kumar the find of the tournament scored 38th minute. In added time of the first half Arif Sheikh made it 2-1 for DSK. Short-statured Spanish playmaker Juan Queroo Barrasso made it 3-1 in the 47th minute

Navy then made a splendid comeback. Midfielder Wayne Vaz made 2-3 at the hour mark. They pressed relentlessly and got the equaliser in added time. DSK's manager Englishman Dave Rogers was upset that his team had not managed to hold onto their two goal lead and that the added time at the end of the match was excessive.

In the third and last match of the day, Real Kashmir and Army Red ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw. Army Red is now second in Pool B with five points from three matches. Real Kashmir got their first point in their second match.

The second half witnessed free-flowing attacking football. Off a quick counter-attack, Real Kashmir went ahead in the 59th minute. Striker Ishfaq Ahmed broke through in speed and squared to Sheikh Rasool who tapped in.

Army Red piled on the pressure and equalized in the 82nd minute. Following a combined move striker Sinenlo Kath Rengma trapped in the six yard box and placed in.