JOIN USA hard-fought game between ASC and MEG, which ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw, was marred by spectator unrest and a minor scuffle between the rival players during their BDFA Super Division encounter at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Friday.
MEG needed to win this game in order to strengthen their title race against ADE but Amit Roy’s strike in the stoppage time (90+1) earned ASC the draw. In the dying minutes of the game when the scores were level 1-1, Rajeev Dey’s shot on goal was deflected off the right hand of Girish from MEG but it went unnoticed by referee Andrew Shekar.
The ASC players appealed and pleaded with the referee, but it went in vain as he stood his ground as they had to settle for a point. This sparked off a row between the teams and the referee.
Later, a disgruntled ‘fan’ took his anger out on MEG coach SP Shaji while the teams were walking off the field, abusing and throwing empty water bottles towards him. Some of the spectators had to hold the irate fan back and escort him out of the ground.
Several of the ASC players and the referee got involved in a heated argument in the tunnel heading into the dressing room but the security personnel prevented the situation from escalating further.
MEG started with great intent as they created multiple chances in the first 15 minutes of the game. A tactful cross from Ajiraj found Nguernilal Hamal whose 35th minute strike put MEG ahead.
ASC took on the MEG defenders and although they went into the half time a goal down, it did not ditter their confidence. Nitesh Barailey and Ramachandran came close to equalising for ASC until Amit Roy rescued his team.
Result: ‘A’ Division: Bangalore Independents: 4 (Deepak 7th, 8th, Kuty 32nd, Adithya KV 75th) bt Tilak Memorial: 2 (Paul 13th, Rajesh 55th).
Saturday’s fixtures: ‘A’ Division: Bangalore Kickers vs DYES; Super Division: South United vs CIL.