Sporting hold Bagan to draw

Kolkata, Aug 26 (UNI) Mohammedan Sporting today forced a draw against Mohun Bagan in its last match of the first round of Kolkata Premier League (KPL) today.

The black-and-white briagade finished its first phase of the KPL with eight points from seventh league tie, while Bagan are still top of the League table wiith 17 points. East Bengal is only a point behind the green-and-maroon brigade with 16.

Experienced coach Shabbir Ali had an interesting strategy today against the much stronger Mohun Bagan. Bagan had a much better possession in the central midfield area, almost throughout the match. But its star midfield-line up as well as the forward line consisting of Jose Barreto and Lalawmpuia were not able to crack the rival's solid defense.

Shabbir Ali had utilised young and inexperienced C Shameel as defensive screen in such an intelleingent way that Bagan midfield looked really struggling to make the build-up for attacks. And as the supply line between the midfielders and the forwards was disjointed, Sporting's youth brigade in the defense led by Sk. Azim, Dipak Singh, Rajib Ahmed and Nigerian Daniel Ayeni had an outstanding show to make Barreto and Lalawmpuia unproductive in the penetrative zone.

Still, the black-and-white brigade had created two positive chances within the fiirst 12 minutes courtesy two superb throughs from newly signed Nigerian striker Paul Mac James. But Jyothi Kumar messed up those chances.

Bagan was able to come out of opposition's defensive command after the break. The team earned at least three to four chances that could not be converted. And at the same time, Sporting custodian Nasibul Haque's brilliant show as well as Sporting defenders' consistency became key hindrances to Bagan from scoring.

UNI