Salgaocar, JCT play lacklustre draw

Salgaocar and JCT split points after playing a dull goalless draw in the eight round of the ONGC I-league at Nehru stadium in Margao on Saturday.

Salgaocar now have seven points from as many matches while JCT have taken their tally to 10 points from eight matches. It was a disappointing outing for the crowd as the match lacked much of goalmouth thrill.

JCT showed urgency in their attack in the first half with Penn Ikechkwu Orji orchestrating most of the moves.

The Punjab side came close to scoring twice but failed to beat keeper Kalyan Chaubey who collected Balwant Singh header and a Daljit Singh shot.

On the other hand, much was expected from Salagoacar's new recruit Keita Mandjou but the Guyanese striker failed to impress upfront and was replaced with Manjit Singh in the second half.

He had an easy chance to put Salgaocar ahead in the dying moments of the first half but shot wide.

Ekene Ikenwa also had a good opportunity to score midway in the first half but rival keeper Karanjit Singh thwarted that attempt brilliantly. Salgaocar played well in the second half and had more of the exchanges but failed to find the break through even as they created couple of chances.

Salgaocar defender Rouhollah Samieinia put up a good show and was adjudged the man of the match.