United Sporting hold SBT 2-2

United Sporting and State Bank of Travancore (SBT) played out a 2-2 draw to share points in their last league match from Group A in the 30th Federation Cup Football championship in Barasat on Tuesday.

Striker Shankar Oraon netted both the goals for the Kolkata outfit, while forwards Hakkim and Kannan drew level for the Kerala side.

Played as a matter of formality as Dempo Sports Club from Goa have already moved to the semi-final from this group, it turned out to be a well-contested one with all the goals coming in the first half.

After this match, both United Sporting and SBT finished their group league fixture earning two points from three outings, with one defeat and two draws against their name. 

With medio Snehasish Chakrabarty initiating most of the moves, United Sporting went into attack early and forced an opportunity in the fifth minute but Oraon was late to posses the ball while SBT keeper Jean Christin dived down to collect the ball.

But he made amends soon when Jean failed to clear a shot off Snehashish and an unmarked Oraon, lurking inside the box, tapped the ball home (1-0).

United defence looked vulnerable and they caved in under pressure three minutes later. Following a combined move, SBT striker Kannan headed the ball to Hakkim who drew level with an accurate shot (1-1).

United  forged ahead again in the 27th minute. This time Oraon, capitalising on a pass from Basudeb Mondal, beat the SBT custodian placing the ball into from an acute angle (2-1).

The joy proved shortlived as SBT striker Kannan soon headed home a right flank lob to restore parity (2-2).

The second half saw both the teams defending their forts well. Though the local outfit maintained an edge and created a few more chances, those were muffed away by their front liners.