Team Herald
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PANJIM: Bright Enobakhare looked to have done enough for SC East Bengal, who seemed to have been marching towards a crucial win, but then Aridane Santana showed up in the stoppage time with the equalizer for Hyderabad FC as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the Indian Super League at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Friday.
SC East Bengal would be the unhappier side among the two as they were clearly denied off a penalty when they led 1-0 in the final quarter of the game, but that cannot be the only reason for the draw. The Kolkata side was also frustrated by Laxmikant Kattimani who was brilliant in the game.
The former FC Goa and Dempo SC custodian finally have started to see a rise in his career at Hyderabad putting up improvised performance match after match. His presence in the goal troubled the SC East Bengal attack also help him extend his side’s nine-game unbeaten run
The Nizams enjoyed better possession early on but SCEB traded possession play with the attack. The Kolkata side had double the attempts on goal than their opponents, though the goal eluded them.
But the Nizams had the first chance when Joel Chianese was set through by Lluis Sastre, but the former’s shot was blocked by Subrata Paul.
For HFC, Kattimani was undeniably their best player in the first 45 minutes. He had three crucial saves denying Ankit Mukherjee twice and then pulling off another save to deny Anthony Pilkington.
HFC nearly broke the deadlock soon after the restart but Santana was unlucky to see his shot came off the post. At the other end, they conceded from a quick counter from SC East Bengal. Raju Gaikwad’s clearance fell to Pilkington, who set Bright on goal. The Nigerian controlled the ball and got it to his feet before zooming past the HFC defense and slotted past the keeper. This time Kattimani was beaten.
Akash Mishra took a long shot but his left foot strike was dealt by Subrata, who pushed it away for a corner. Sandaza then put the ball in the back of the net, but it was rightly ruled offside.
East Bengal were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty late in the game. Bright made another dazzling move into the HFC box. He manages to get past Kattimani but is challenged by the custodian bringing down the Nigerian in the area. However, the referee showed no interest in the appeal.
The Nizams finally restored parity in the stoppage time through Santana. Rohit Danu played Sandaza on the right, who sent in a low cross towards the far post and Santana tapped in from close.
HFC were down to 10 men when Yasir was shown a straight red for his high boot challenge on Wahengbam Luwang just outside the box. The resultant free-kick was wasted by SCEB as it hit the wall.
