BEML have only themselves to blame for the wobble as they missed as many as half-a-dozen sitters including a crucial penalty in the first half. BEML, who routed Dharmaraja Union 4-0 in their first match, now have four points from two matches. The second draw put CIL on two points after their previous goalless draw against Bharat Electronics Limited.
It needed a goalline save from BEML’s Avinash off a header from CIL’s D Kumar to wake the I-League Second Division team from their slumber. The game then saw a flurry of moves from BEML but their strikers, especially Nirmal Kumar, couldn’t find the back of the net.
Nirmal shot straight at CIL goalkeeper N Venkatesh from inside the penalty area in the 34th before his right-footer from close range was saved on the goalline by defender Gopala Krishna. But the miss of the match came in the 40th minute when referee Edwin George pointed to the spot when a goal-bound acrobatic kick from Nirmal hit Enian’s hand inside the area. Kalander, who stepped up to take the kick, shot over the cross piece.
After the break, BEML showed a lot more urgency with the introduction of Thangosomi on the left flank for Danny. Thangosomi made an immediate impact, earning a free-kick just outside the area off which Magesh Babu rattled the cross bar. Thangosomi was in the thick of the action again when his right-footer hit the woodwork. CIL then concentrated more on defending and managed to hold on for a goalless draw.
Other result (‘A’ Division): DYSH: 7 (Sunil Kumar 30th, 43rd; Bejoy 48th; Harsha 57th; Mitesh Kumar 66th; Ravi Kiran 68th, 75th) bt BWSSB: 0.
