League

SaLt LaKe StaDiuM
Spectators: 7737 (Terracing: 5804, Seating: 1779, VIP seats: 154) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Devavesman Krishnan started the match with the kick off. Iksana Sinha took the ball and in the 6 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Guntas Dube. Guntas Dube dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. In the 13th minute Devavesman Krishnan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Naginderjit Varghese saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 14 minutes into the match, Swinton's Devavesman Krishnan sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Naginderjit Varghese narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Devavesman Krishnan struck a weak shot in the 18th minute. Naginderjit Varghese didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Swinton. After some fancy dribbling in the 20th minute, Teju Chaddha managed to get in a good position for a shot. Swinton's supporters rose to their feet, but Teju Chaddha was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Naginderjit Varghese breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Tulsi Kalss short, quick shot in the 24thth minute got Guntas Dube to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. HYDERABAD SULTANS's Naginderjit Varghese played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Devavesman Krishnan in the 26th minute of play. 36 minutes into the match, HYDERABAD SULTANS's goal looked a bit too open when Teju Chaddha came free, but Naginderjit Varghese reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Tulsi Kals sent away a hard shot on goal in the 37th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Naginderjit Varghese showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Teju Chaddha, who was totally free with the ball in the 45th minute. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Iksana Sinha to make the kick off. After 54 played minutes HYDERABAD SULTANS got a freekick which was hit by Kailash Khattri. Kakunda Pant's shot from long distance was a real pearl which went to the right and just passed Naginderjit Varghese - 1-1 was put on the score board in the 55th minute. A collision led to HYDERABAD SULTANS getting a freekick after 60 minutes play. Dharmesvara Sangma hit a great ball. Teju Chaddha received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 62nd minute. Naginderjit Varghese tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Guntas Dube made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tulsi Kals in the 64th minute of play. Brahmamurti Ram charged in rather forcefully in the 65th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Brahmamurti Ram the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to Swinton getting a freekick after 65 minutes play. Brahmamurti Ram hit a great ball. Iksana Sinha received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 66th minute. Guntas Dube tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Tulsi Kals had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 68th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Iksana Sinha scored 2-1 in the 68th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Guntas Dube, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After a rather tough play, HYDERABAD SULTANS's Kailash Khattri got a free kick in the 71st minute. If Tulsi Kals had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 74th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Guntas Dube took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tulsi Kals, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Iksana Sinha in the 84th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Guntas Dube saved Swinton from getting behind. After some fancy dribbling in the 86th minute, Teju Chaddha managed to get in a good position for a shot. Swinton's supporters rose to their feet, but Teju Chaddha was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Naginderjit Varghese breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 88 minutes into the match, Devavesman Krishnan had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Naginderjit Varghese. HYDERABAD SULTANS's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Devavesman Krishnan was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-2. If Teju Chaddha had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The audience thought a goal was coming when Teju Chaddha got free with Naginderjit Varghese in the 95th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After a defensive mix-up in HYDERABAD SULTANS's zone, Devavesman Krishnan stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Naginderjit Varghese came out of the goal and Devavesman Krishnan tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Neither set of supporters seemed pleased with the draw, but both teams had played equally well today.