JCT, Mahindra United draw 1-1

JCT Mills held former Durand Cup winners Mahindra United to a 1-1 draw in the ninth National Football League at the Cooperage in Mumbai on Monday.

Both the goals came in the first half.

JCT, who looked much fitter and faster than their hosts, drew first blood when defender Harpreet Singh's header off a flag kick was bang on target in the 16th minute.

However, JCT's joy was short lived as Abhishek Yadav equalised for Mahindra just two minutes later with a fine header off medio Jatin Bisht's flag kick.

Infact, it was the visitors who came up with the first notable move when in the 15th minute when skipper Ram Paul's free kick beat custodian Sandip Nandy all ends up before one of their defenders managed to clear the ball in the nick of time.

In the 30th minute, Bisht-Yadav combination almost put the Jeepmen ahead but Bisht's flag-kick, which was hit low and with lot of power, was headed over by Yadav.

With just a couple of minutes to go for half time, K Koluthungan's long range shot was well saved by a diving JCT goalkeeper Mansuru Mohammed.

Ten minutes after the interval, Mahindra United put pressure on JCT defence with their custodian unable to cleanly stop an attempt by Bisht. The rebound came back to Mahindra striker Rodrigo De Almeida whose stinging shot was booted out by one of JCT defenders in a goal mouth melee.

Again in the 70th minute, the hosts had a gilt edged chance to go ahead but Almeida shot wide from close range off Venkatesh's back pass. He had only Mohammed to beat.

Mahindra again came close as substitute Khalid Jamil's attempt off Venkatesh long pass was well saved by Mohammed.

Mahindra United now have 12 points from seven matches while JCT have eight points from as many matches.

Mahindra United will now play State Bank of Travancore in their next match at Cooperage on February 24.