14 October,2009 11:31 AM IST | | Goal.com
Kolkata's highest placed team Chirag United failed to go to the top of the table as they could only manage a 3-3 draw against Air India at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Jayanta Sen gave the home side the lead but a goal from Dada Nabeel and a brace from ND Opara gave the Mumbai outfit a two goal advantage. But Subrata Bhattacharya's team fought back to earn a point thanks to goals from Gauranga Dutta and Josimar.
Chirag had a great chance in he first minute of the game when Lalkamal's Bhowmick's long cross fell straight to the path of Josimar after a miss clearance from Air India defender Behnam but the Brazilian striker failed to hit the target from close range.
A couple of minutes later the home side found the wood work when Edmilson got on the end of a Josimar knockdown after a great team move but the former East Bengal striker's effort hit the bar on it's way out for a goal kick.
Chirag were having all the play and the next to come close was midfielder Lalkamal Bhowmick, whose freekick produced an excellent save from Air India goalkeeper Arnab Das Sharma.
The Kolkata side's pressure finally paid off in the 11th minute when Jayanta Sen capped off an excellent move by slotting the ball past Arnab Das Sharma to give Chirag a deserved lead.
It resulted when Josimar released Lalkamal on the left flank who went to the byline, got past an Air India defender and played a teasing ball into the box. Edmilson couldn't reach it but his slight touch fell kindly for Jayanta who made no mistake and scored his first goal of the season.
Josimar had another effort saved well by Arnab Das Sharma and then a few minutes later Chirag had a strong penalty claim when Edmilson was brought down by Air India's Iranian defender Behnam.
Referee Nazir Ahmed waved play on but Edmilson protested and talked his way into a booking. Chirag kept dominating the match and threatened to score the second but Arnab Das Sharma was in fine form as he made a couple of important saves.
Subrata Bhattacharya's team were punished for scoring the second as Air India equalized from their first real attack of the game. And what a move it was. Air India broke quickly with numbers from a Chirag corner and released Soccor Velho on the right flank. The Air India captain sent in a dangerous cross which was headed in to the back of the net by Dada Nabeel to bring Bimal Ghosh's team level.
That goal suddenly galvanized the away team as they started to control play in midfield while Chirag were totally rocked and looked short of ideas. The visitors went on to take the lead four minutes before the break when a Ravinder Singh cross from the left flank was headed home by ND Opara who found himself unmarked in the six yard box.
Chirag went in search for a quick response with coach Subrata Bhattacharya also making a change before the halftime whistle by bringing on Arnab Mondal in place of Kingshuk Debnath. But Air India held on and went into the break with the lead.
Air India started well in the second half with Dada Nabeel testing Sandip Nandy with an effort from just outside the box.
The Airmen went on to double their advantage when a Uttam Singh long throw was allowed to travel a long way by the Chirag defence which allowed Opara to get his header in from close range that hit the bar and took a touch of Arnab Mondal's back on its way to the back of the net.
Bhattacharya made another change by bringing on Gauranga Dutta in place of Lalkamal Bhowmick and the substitute nearly created a good chance by sending in a teasing cross into the box but it was well cleared by the Air India defence.
Chirag went close with Malswamtulunga forcing a fine save from Das Sharma and then a few minutes later Josimar's long range effort went just over the bar. Striker Lalwampuia was also brought on for Mama as the home side went for an all out attack.
They pulled one back halfway through the second half when Das Sharma came out of his goal and made a half hearted attempt to win the ball from Edmilson. As a result the ball fell kindly to the path of Gauranga Dutta who easily found the empty net.
Chirag piled on the pressure and finally found the equalizer when Josimar headed in from two yards after Safar Sadar had won the initial header from a Gauranga Dutta corner. Bimal Ghosh's team had a penalty shout when Opara went tumbling down after a challenge from Arnab Mondal but referee waved play on.
Chirag nearly won it at the death when Josimar's header found Gaurang Dutta in plenty of space but the former East Bengal player's effort was straight at the Air India keeper. In the end both teams had to settle for a draw which keeps Chirag at third place while Air India are still unbeaten having only played twice this season.
