<p> Army Service Corps (ASC) suffered a blow in their title quest as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Madras Engineer Group (MEG) 1-1 in the BDFA Super Division League at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Wednesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In fact, an injury-time strike by Ramachandran spared ASC’s blushes after they fell behind to a goal by Nguernilal Hmar on the hour mark. ASC have 15 points from eight matches, four behind leaders Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club in the 11-team league. MEG, meanwhile, moved up to 13 points from eight games.<br /><br />The Sappers started off aggressively and a cross by Nguernilal was headed over by Bar John in the second minute. ASC’s first real chance was foiled by MEG custodian Sharat Narayan as he produced a fine save off a header by Arunjeet in the 11th minute.<br /><br />With both teams pressing hard to break the deadlock, Ramachandran missed an opportunity as he blasted an angular volley wide from close range in the 30th minute.<br /><br />ASC enjoyed a brief spell of dominance as Nitesh shot straight at the keeper from inside the area in the 32nd minute. Couple of minutes later, Ramachandran failed to hit the target off a corner-kick.<br /><br />ASC midfielder A Saikh’s cross from the left flank hit the woodwork and the rebound was shot wide by Jotin Singh as the teams went into the break on level terms.<br /><br />MEG took the lead in the 60th minute after Nguernilal was felled by Sailo on the edge of the area. The former’s powerful free-kick beat Shantanu Kar hands down in the ASC goal.<br /><br />ASC’s Sreejith was denied in the 71st minute with MEG defender Suman Kumar making a brilliant goal-line clearance.<br /><br />MEG were forced to bring on substitute goalkeeper Amit Shaw after Sharat suffered an injury in the second minute of stoppage time. Two minutes later, Ramachandran came up with a superb angular volley from the area to save one point.</p>
<p> Army Service Corps (ASC) suffered a blow in their title quest as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Madras Engineer Group (MEG) 1-1 in the BDFA Super Division League at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Wednesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In fact, an injury-time strike by Ramachandran spared ASC’s blushes after they fell behind to a goal by Nguernilal Hmar on the hour mark. ASC have 15 points from eight matches, four behind leaders Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club in the 11-team league. MEG, meanwhile, moved up to 13 points from eight games.<br /><br />The Sappers started off aggressively and a cross by Nguernilal was headed over by Bar John in the second minute. ASC’s first real chance was foiled by MEG custodian Sharat Narayan as he produced a fine save off a header by Arunjeet in the 11th minute.<br /><br />With both teams pressing hard to break the deadlock, Ramachandran missed an opportunity as he blasted an angular volley wide from close range in the 30th minute.<br /><br />ASC enjoyed a brief spell of dominance as Nitesh shot straight at the keeper from inside the area in the 32nd minute. Couple of minutes later, Ramachandran failed to hit the target off a corner-kick.<br /><br />ASC midfielder A Saikh’s cross from the left flank hit the woodwork and the rebound was shot wide by Jotin Singh as the teams went into the break on level terms.<br /><br />MEG took the lead in the 60th minute after Nguernilal was felled by Sailo on the edge of the area. The former’s powerful free-kick beat Shantanu Kar hands down in the ASC goal.<br /><br />ASC’s Sreejith was denied in the 71st minute with MEG defender Suman Kumar making a brilliant goal-line clearance.<br /><br />MEG were forced to bring on substitute goalkeeper Amit Shaw after Sharat suffered an injury in the second minute of stoppage time. Two minutes later, Ramachandran came up with a superb angular volley from the area to save one point.</p>
