INDIA DRAW TO LIFT TRINATION SERIES
MUMBAI: There were two sets of enthusiasts outside the Andheri Sports Complex on Thursday — one chanting Maa Tujhe Salaam and Van de Mat a ram to cheer for their national team that had just lifted the tri-nation trophy, while the other singing and dancing to Gan pa ti Ba pp a
Morya. The festive fervour was already there, what added on to it was perhaps the trophy Sandesh Jhingan and Co earned after holding on to a draw against St Kitts and Nevis in the Tri-nation tournament.
Keeping in tune with their coach’s demand to have quicker starts, India approached the game on an aggressive note while maintaining a firm defence all along.
While St Kitts struggled to breach the box and test Subrata Paul under the bar, India kept piling on the pressure on a defence that had conceded 11 goals in their past five matches.
From crosses down the wings to one-touch passes, it was a better show from the men-in-blue than their inaugural game against Mauritius. Their first real chance came inthe 20th minute, with Balwant Singh neatly meeting a Halicharan Narzary cross from the left flank. Although it didn’t prove fruitful, it was the start of better things to come with a regular supply of crosses. However, what punched holes in the opposition defence were the one-touch passes in the midfield while sending in balls for Jeje and Balwant upfront, something that the opposition seemed to have no answers to.
India came close to taking the lead in the 27 th minute when Balwant sent the ball into the back of the net but Jeje was found offside while receiving the ball after Narayan Das’s initial shot ricocheted off the post. The hosts finally drew blood through Jackichand Singh, the Manipuri scoring with a clinical header in the 37th minute off a cross from Rowlin Borges. It was a stellar finish from Jackichand who glanced the ball in exquisite fashion.
Constantine made one change at the break, replacing Balwant Singh with Robin Singh upfront but the latter looked lacklustre throughout the game.
India started the second half brightly buta number of chances went abegging and the attacking flair dipped as the game progressed. St Kitts equalised in the 72nd minute with Amory Gvaune neatly connecting a volley to replicate their show against Mauritius.
Despite the missed chances, India managed to hold on for a draw. And perhaps, the main reason for the same was skipper Sandesh Jhingan. The 24-yearold was a rock at the back, keeping the opposition at bay with well-timed tackles.
The draw, however, ended India’s streak of nine wins on the trot.