Samity stay alive

David rescues Kolkatans with late goal

David KC Ngaihte turned out to be the saviour for Southern Samity, scoring a second-half equaliser in a crucial 1-1 draw against Luangmual FC in their Round I Second Division I-League match at the Bangalore Football stadium on Sunday.

Coming away with a point has enabled Samity to climb to the top of the table with 14 points from six games and stay in contention to advance to the final round. The Kolkata-side has an all-important match in hand against Mumbai Tigers on Wednesday.

Mumbai Tigers and Vasco Sports Club, Goa have 13 points from five and six games respectively and are in the race to progress along with Samity. Vasco, who play Luangmual in their last match on Tuesday, face a must-win situation as a loss could see them pave the way for Tigers (+6) and Samity (+5) to go through as both these teams have a better goal difference.

Samity and Luangmual played out a drab first half with both teams struggling to break through. Luangmual were resolute in defence with Laldinliana Verte and Lalrosanga foiling Samity’s early moves through Emmanuel O Bajomo and Rajib Ahamed.

It was not until the 42nd minute when Onyeama’s header went wide off the right goalpost from skipper Marcos ADC Pereira’s cross that either team had any substantial scoring opportunity and the ensuing breather three minutes later came as a welcome break.

After the resumption, both teams approached the game with a lot more vigour although mispasses and lack of imagination in midfield was the feature in the first 15 minutes.
Chencho looked to fire Luangmual into the lead in the 61st minute with a powerful shot but the effort was saved by Samity custodian Naseem Akhtar.

Five minutes later, Isaac Lalrinngheta found the opening goal for the Aizawl-based team with a 25-metre scorcher outside the area that saw Akhtar punching the air.

Stunned by the goal and fearing an upset, Samity pulled up their socks and launched some probing moves and the result came in the 85th minute.

Ngaihte received a perfectly timed defence-splitting through ball from Marcos which the former flicked past Luangmual custodian Danny Lalrohlua to level scores.

In the second match, local outfit South United FC, who are out of contention, crushed Eagles FC 4-0 with goals from Vinoth Kumar (25th), Amoes (45th, 89th) and Stephen (52nd).

Monday’s match: Mumbai Tigers vs Hindustan FC (4 pm).