I-League 2021: Papa Babacar Diawara scores brace in Punjab FC win, Chennai City beat NEROCA – Sports News , Firstpost

Kalyani: Punjab FC moved up to the second spot in the I-League standings after beating Indian Arrows 2-1 at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Tuesday.

A brace from Papa Babacar Diawara (35th and 56th) ensured Punjab FC all three points despite a late goal by Vellington Fernandes (87th).

Indian Arrows made as many as six changes to the team after their loss to Real Kashmir FC. Head coach Shanmugan Venkatesh brought in Vibin Mohanan, Harsh Patre, Gurkirat Singh, Vellington Fernandes, Shreyas Ketkar, Ahaan Prakash and Gurpanthjeet Singh.

Punjab FC, on the other hand, made two changes from their 2-0 victory over TRAU. Curtis Fleming brought in Samad Ali Mallick in defence while handing Papa Diawara his debut.

The AIFF’s developmental side put up an equal fight in the midfield in the opening exchanges and as a result were able to hold Punjab FC far away from their goal. Curtis Fleming’s side came close to breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute.

Bikash Yumnum’s long throw was turned on to his own crossbar by Tankadhar Bag. With the keeper Ahaan Prakash off his line, Chencho Gyeltshen attempted an overhead kick but Tankadhar made up for his earlier error with a brilliant goal-line clearance.

Indian Arrows had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 29th minute. Vibin released Patre, who could not send his shot past Punjab keeper Kiran Kumar Limbu.

A minute later, Punjab FC replied back with an opportunity of their own, but Aahaan Prakash was alert and reached a lobbed pass through the centre before Papa Diawara could.

After opportunities came for both sides, the opener came in the 35th-minute as Diawara brought down Aphaoba Singh’s cross before smashing it past Ahaan Prakash in the Arrows goal.

Punjab FC kept looking for a second goal towards the end of the first half. Chencho’s dipping strike was palmed away brilliantly by Ahaan in the 44th minute.

Curtis Fleming’s side continued attacking the Arrows goal after the restart. Papa Diawara almost doubled the lead in the 48th minute, but his volley bounced just wide of Ahaan’s far post.

The Senegalese striker almost turned provider in the 52nd minute, but his cross across the area for Chencho was intercepted by Ahaan.

Punjab FC kept on knocking the Arrows defence and reaped rewards in the 56th minute. Joseba Beitia found Diawara, who powered his header from close range and doubled his side’s lead.

Few minutes before the final whistle, Vellington Fernandes reached substitute Abdul Hannan’s cut-back cross, to pull a goal back.

Chennai beat Neroca

Former champions Chennai City FC dished out a clinical attacking brand of football to beat NEROCA FC 2-1.

Strikes from Vineeth Kumar (sixth minute) and Demir Avdic (68th) were enough to hand Chennai City the win despite Subash Singh reducing the deficit in the 79th minute.

With this win, Chennai City FC find themselves in the top half of the table while NEROCA are still on 10th place.

Chennai City wasted no time in showing their attacking intent but a fourth-minute effort by Vladimir Molerovic from a distance went inches over the bar. However, the Chennai-based club had to wait just two minutes after Molerovic’s attempt to take the lead.

Vineeth Kumar was found by an accurate cross from Mohamed Iqbal from the left flank on the far post. Vineeth’s diving header from a tight angle beat the opposition custodian as Chennai took a 1-0 lead.

The goal, which came out of nowhere, jolted NEROCA and shortly after, attempts by Demir Avdic of Chennai City were kept out by Bishrojit Singh, who was tested on more than one occasion.

However, NEROCA regrouped and started pressing higher up the pitch. In the 15th minute, Subash Singh tried to dribble his way past the Chennai defence, but failed to release a powerful shot.

NEROCA survived a scare on the 18th minute when defender Manjit Sharma’s loose pass for goalkeeper Bishrojit Singh was almost latched upon by a lurking Demir Avdic. If Avdic had stolen possession, it would have been a simple goal for Chennai City.

More chances came Chennai City’s way to double their advantage. In the 28th minute, Rajesh’s cross found Vineeth inside the box. This time, Vineeth tried to half-volley the cross, but his effort went wide.

With Chennai City FC having the lion’s share of possession and creating chances at will, NEROCA relied on counter-attacks to test the opposition. Subash Singh wasted his shot in the 33rd minute and substitute Khaiminthang Lhungdim, shortly after, headed a Gobin Singh cross wide of the goal.

NEROCA began to attack in droves in the second half but the Gift Raikhan-coached side lacked creativity upfront, with Subash Singh mostly isolated and unable to link play with Judah Garcia.

They were dealt a blow in the 61st minute when Shoib Akhtar was sent off for a rash tackle on Jockson Dhas.

Playing with 10 men, NEROCA conceded another goal in the 68th minute when Demir Avdic found the net through a header from close range.

The Manipur-based club resorted to long balls and smashed them forward in an attempt to find a goal. The breakthrough came in the 79th minute for NEROCA.

Garcia’s attempt from close range was heroically saved by the opposition goalkeeper, but the ball fell to Subash Singh, who smashed it home from a hand-shaking distance.

Despite a late surge by their opponents, Chennai City’s defence held on to the lead to grab full three points.