HASC hold listless Mohun Bagan to goalless draw

Bangalore, Jan 6: Displaying a fighting spirit to the last minute, Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club (HASC) held fancied Mohun Bagan to a goalless draw in their opening National Football League match at the BDFA stadium here today.

The widely expected soft open to their campaign to regain the title for the Kolkata giants could never happen as the half line failed to help the indomitable striker duo of Bhaichung Bhutia and Jose Ramires Barreto.

Poor finishing and Gumpe Rime, the HASC keeper who proved to be a stumbling block throughout the game, forced the three times winners to share points with the state league winners, who were promoted to the premier league this year.

The aircraftmen, who matched their rivals for most of the first half, could have produced a shocking result, but for their poor firing line that failed to cash in on some close chances that came their way in the first half. The second half belonged to Bagan, but luck eluded Bhutia and Barreto time and again.

The Federation Cup champions failed to break the deadlock, despite Bagan coach Robson Mattos De Oliveira making three changes in the second half. Rime, who stood the test against the marauding Bagan striking force, was adjudged the 'player of the match'.

After they missed half a dozen chances either shot wide or valiantly saved by Rime, Bagan would have earned full points had the luck been on their side. With just four minutes left for the full time, Bhutia's shot, just ten yards from the custodian, hit the far post and bounced back.

For HASC, winger Raghuveer Singh, who was the pick of the lot, created many chances, while defenders Prasanth Jaggi and Pawan Kumar tackled the Bagan strikers with aplomb. It was a fine performance by the local outfit, served well by a good sprinkle of junior national team campers. Apart from Dulal, who gave a dazzling display, midfielders Dharmjit Singh and Sanjiv Maria were also prominent in Bagan's scheme of things.

Bagan got the first chance to score ten minutes into the game, but Sanjeev Maria's free kick from 25 yards out was tipped over by Rime. Nine minutes later, HASC striker Reisangmi Vashim's flick just missed the far post. Ten minutes to half time, HASC should have scored off Raghuveer's effort, but Dulal made a superb goal line save.

Earlier, Dulal had hit the ball over from just outside the HASC area and on the 38th minute Barreto's header off Dulal's measured cross sailed over the bar. The missed chances continued as Bhutia failed to slot in from inside the box off Barreto's pass.

Bagan slowly took the game in its grasp and made repeated forays into the HASC area. Bhutia just headed off a Dharmjit's cross, while the most valuable player of the Federation Cup repeated the act with 20 minutes left in the game.

Substitute Mehtab, who came in for off clour Lalkamal Bhowmick, had a good chance to put Bagan in front, but failed to connect inside the rival box in the 83rd minute. Just three minutes later, Baretto's reverse flick was superbly tipped over by Rime. The very next minute Bhutia's attempt was foiled again, this time by the post.

UNI