ONGC continue dream run under Kashyap

New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) Ten-man ONGC took their unbeaten streak under Santosh Kashyap to three as they got the better of higher-placed Pailan Arrows 3-0 in the 14th round of the I-League at the Ambedkar Stadium here Saturday.

An own goal from Pritam Kotal in the opening exchanges set the tone for the hosts as they went on to increase their lead through Eric Brown and F. Lalmuanpuia in the 30th and 67th minutes respectively.

Brown was given marching orders for stamping Kotal in the 68th minute. Courtesy this win, they go to 13 points from that many matches while Arrows remain on 14 from 13 outings.

ONGC were lucky to take the early lead as Yusa Katsumi’s corner was deflected off Pritam Kotal’s right-foot into the back of the net. The home side were pressing from the word go earning their first flag kick in the very first minute. The goal was in fact their third corner in five minutes.

The All India Football Federation developmental side gauged the tempo of the game and sat deep to pounce on the counter. But it was one of those days for Arthur Papas and his boys when nothing went their way.

Brown doubled the tally in the half hour mark, realising a brilliant cross from Man of the Match Sachin Gawas to head home expertly.

Arrows had their moments too. In the 41st minute, Kotal’s clearance from the heart of Arrows’ rearguard was beautifully trapped by Alwyn George to set up Holicharan Narzary whose shot across the face of goal sailed over the bar. Of Rajinder Singh’s spadework in the dying minutes of the first half, Prabir Das shot wide, much to Papas’s dismay.

One minute after Lalmuanpuia virtually put the match to bed in the 67th minute, Brown was sent off for stamping Kotal. Arrows tried to seize the opportunity in the final third of the match but perhaps it was not their day.

IANS 2013-01-05 20:40:04