AIFF Media Team
Margao, Nov 26: As visitors in Goa, Pailan Arrows have rose a rung in their academic ladder. Not only because they were able to hand Sporting Clube de Goa a 1-0 defeat in the latter’s own backyard, but the manner in which the All India Football Federation developmental side went about their job on Friday evening at the Nehru stadium in Fatorda.
Away from home in testing conditions, Arthur Papas and his boys were astute in their display both on and off the field. If some excellent defending and fleet footed counter attacking was the order of the day on the pitch, off the pitch the Australian tactician who has already made a name for himself as a mastermind, was accurate in flooring the plan after perfectly assessing his opponents.
Arrows looked every inch a well oiled machine allowing the hosts to keep possession but providing no clear cut chances to break the deadlock. Pailan were looking for that opportunity to pounce on the counter. In the 54th minute, the wait ended.
Narzary cut past his marker and unleashed a left footer which the goalkeeper parried away, but Narayan Das was at the right place to give the finishing touches from an extremely narrow angle. This was Das’ second goal in consecutive matches.
Trailing by a goal Sporting Clube threw everything at Arrows. But the boys were equal to the task and held their fort with gusto to walk away with full points at the end of 90 minutes. Arrows are now back at the fifth position with 11 points from seven outings.
Elsewhere, East Bengal maintained their place at the top of the tree mauling newcomers ONGC 5-0 at home. Breathing down their neck are five time I-League champions Dempo who made heavy weather of wooden spooners Air India but thanks to Indian National Team forward Joachim Abranches’ late winner that Armando Colaco and co. were able to bag three crucial points.
Third placed Churchill Brothers too had to work hard for their 1-0 triumph at Shillong -- courtesy an Akram Moghrabi brilliance in stoppage time. On the road, Salgaocar managed to hold Prayag United 1-1 thus arresting their losing streak coupled with a miserable start to the season.
At the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, the strong weekend crowd were entertained to a riveting 2-2 draw between the hosts Pune FC and Bhaichung Bhutia’s United Sikkim. I-League’s fastest goal was scored by James Moga of Pune FC within 14 seconds of ball roll. The goal also stays the fastest ever scored in Indian football. United Sikkim then netted two goals in two minutes to wrest back the advantage. Post the breather, Moga doubled his tally to salvage one point for the hosts.
Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan were unimpressive against Mumbai FC at the Balewadi on Sunday evening. Karim Bencherifa’s first match as Bagan’s Coach (his second stint) ended 1-1.
Margao, Nov 26: As visitors in Goa, Pailan Arrows have rose a rung in their academic ladder. Not only because they were able to hand Sporting Clube de Goa a 1-0 defeat in the latter’s own backyard, but the manner in which the All India Football Federation developmental side went about their job on Friday evening at the Nehru stadium in Fatorda.
Away from home in testing conditions, Arthur Papas and his boys were astute in their display both on and off the field. If some excellent defending and fleet footed counter attacking was the order of the day on the pitch, off the pitch the Australian tactician who has already made a name for himself as a mastermind, was accurate in flooring the plan after perfectly assessing his opponents.
Arrows looked every inch a well oiled machine allowing the hosts to keep possession but providing no clear cut chances to break the deadlock. Pailan were looking for that opportunity to pounce on the counter. In the 54th minute, the wait ended.
Narzary cut past his marker and unleashed a left footer which the goalkeeper parried away, but Narayan Das was at the right place to give the finishing touches from an extremely narrow angle. This was Das’ second goal in consecutive matches.
Trailing by a goal Sporting Clube threw everything at Arrows. But the boys were equal to the task and held their fort with gusto to walk away with full points at the end of 90 minutes. Arrows are now back at the fifth position with 11 points from seven outings.
Elsewhere, East Bengal maintained their place at the top of the tree mauling newcomers ONGC 5-0 at home. Breathing down their neck are five time I-League champions Dempo who made heavy weather of wooden spooners Air India but thanks to Indian National Team forward Joachim Abranches’ late winner that Armando Colaco and co. were able to bag three crucial points.
Third placed Churchill Brothers too had to work hard for their 1-0 triumph at Shillong -- courtesy an Akram Moghrabi brilliance in stoppage time. On the road, Salgaocar managed to hold Prayag United 1-1 thus arresting their losing streak coupled with a miserable start to the season.
At the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, the strong weekend crowd were entertained to a riveting 2-2 draw between the hosts Pune FC and Bhaichung Bhutia’s United Sikkim. I-League’s fastest goal was scored by James Moga of Pune FC within 14 seconds of ball roll. The goal also stays the fastest ever scored in Indian football. United Sikkim then netted two goals in two minutes to wrest back the advantage. Post the breather, Moga doubled his tally to salvage one point for the hosts.
Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan were unimpressive against Mumbai FC at the Balewadi on Sunday evening. Karim Bencherifa’s first match as Bagan’s Coach (his second stint) ended 1-1.
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