Agencies

KOLKATA: The tactical contest between Dutchman Eelco Schattorie and Englishman David Booth had no clear winner as their respective teams Prayag United Sports Club and Salgaocar Football Club played out a 1-1 draw to keep the honours even in the seventh round match of I-League at Salt Lake Stadium, here, Friday.

0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">Prayag United looking to consolidate their second position in the league standings with back-to-back wins at home in the previous two rounds, suffered the first reverse under their new coach. It was the first point for Booth, who had lost the previous two rounds after fully assuming charge of the Goa side following the departure of Moroccan Karim Bencherifa.

Prayag United could not summon the form of their previous two matches as Salgaocar applied breaks on their free-flowing game putting a tough policing. The first half saw less on the offensive front as the two teams focused more on the build-up. The first chance came Salgaocar’s way in the 17^th minute but Sean Rooney, the Australian striker, could not reach a through pass from midfielder Gilbert Oliveira. Getting their act together Prayag United started attacking midway through the first half and found an opportunity in the 27^th minute, which was sent wide by Costa Rican Carlos Hernandes.

With goal route refusing to open in the usual procedure, Salgaocar utilized the first set-piece opportunity – a corner. Augustine Fernandes headed in a finely curled corner from Randeep Singh to give Salgaocar the advantage of leading the half 1-0.

The home team sought to regroup after the break as Schattorie brought in a few changes early to push for more attack. Hernandes, the mainstay of Prayag United attack, was replaced by Mohammad Rafique as Gouranga Biswas came in to speed up the flanks in place of Lester Fernandes.

The move paid dividends as Prayag United found the equalizer in the 58^th minute. The goal came from a dead-ball situation when Nigerian defender Bello Rasaq bulged the Salgaocar net with a free kick taken from a couple of yards outside the box. The equalizer encouraged Prayag United to go for the lead did not happen as Rafiq shot wide off an open goal and the Nigerian goal-machine Ranty Martins found his angular attempt in the 65^th minute coming off the upright.

The drawn result took Prayag United’s points to 14 from seven matches while Salgaocar had six points from seven rounds.