New Delhi: JCT would be pleased to take a point away from East Bengal as the Kolkata side couldn't manage to break the compact Punjab side at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata in the third round I-League match.
Sukhwinder Singh's boy have seven points from their first three matches while East Bengal have only two to show from three outings.
It was the visitors who looked better in the early exchanges however, the first chance fell to the home side when Yusif Yakubu's throughball to Syed Nabi saw the left winger get past his marker to find Bhaichung whose final shot missed the far post by not much.
Daljit Singh sent the Sakatar through on the line and the latter's cross was well controlled by Baljit Sahni but while attempting to turn, Govin Singh seized the possession from him.
Syed Nabi brilliantly latched onto the ball on the left and cut back to unleash a fierce right footer which tested Karanjit Singh.
East Bengal saw more of the ball however, they weren;t able to create any chances to put JCT under pressure.
Bhaichung received the return ball from Nabi and found Yakubu whose spectacular attempt was easily cleared by Karanjit.
Towards the end of the first half, East Bengal had a couple of chances with the first falling for Nabi whose header almost found Bhaichung.
Yakubu received the ball in an offside position, which the linesman chose to ignore, and sent the ball over the bar from six yards out. JCT players were seen protesting with Daljit Singh even shoved the official.
JCT started the second session on a better note as they had more possession and looked more solid.
East Bengal would thank Nirmal Chettri for not gling behind as his block denied Sakatar Singh after Balwant pulled the ball back.
Realizing his mistake in moving their most attacking player, Nabi to the left back slot, Subhash Bhowmick got the Indian international back on the left wing with the introduction of Harmanjot Khabra at the hour mark.
The Red and Gold's were caught unaware at the back as Balwant sends in a cross with Sakatar Singh's shot going straight to Abhra Mondal with the angle going against the right winger.
Yakubu's free-kick saw Bhaichung flick it on for Nabi who couldn't get his header from point blank range on target as Karanjit Singh did enough to ward off the danger.
Substitute Jaswinder Singh's cross saw Balwant head it across but Baljit Sahni couldn't get to it.
In the injury time, Yakubu's free-kick saw Nabi's header almost fall for Mehrajuddin Wadoo but Pawan Kumar cleared the danger.
The Kolkata outfit would have to re-think their strategies and get their foreigners in place before their next game against Mohun Bagan.
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