AIFF Media Team
NEW DELHI: The AIFF Elite Academy Boys were shorn of victory by Douhou Pierre’s second half equaliser as they battled an electrifying draw with Salgoacar FC at Duler Stadium in another friendly.
Salgaocar’s midweek victory over Dempo in the ongoing Goa Pro league buoyed up their reserves thus were quickly off the blocks with crisp passing moves creating early woes to the AIFF’s defence.
Hayden Fernandes started orchestrating the play in midfield and was instrumental in the AIFF’s opening goal, with a clam finish low past the goalkeeper on a rebound.
The AIFF colts looked likely to double the lead when Daniel Lalhlimpuia exchanged passes with Delbert Fernandes before shooting the ball agonisingly over the crossbar.
The Goan outfit's attempt to reduce the deficit was thwarted, when Gurjinder Kumar’s freekick clipped the post before two minutes into the break.
At half time, the score was 1-0.
On to the second half, the one-time I-League champions fired all the weapons in their arsenal by introducing their star Scottish striker Darryl Duffy alongside new Ivorian signing Douhou Pierre from Pune FC.
Darryl Duffy skilfully set up the ball for Douhou Pierre in 58th minute of the game, who unwittingly denied the AIFF’s lead.
Continuous waves of attack from the home side left the AIFF colts with no options than to sit deep back and soak up the pressure.
Still the drama was not over as Salgoacar in search of a goal hit the woodwork twice while the AIFF trying to continue with their winning streak celebrated Milan Basumatary’s exquisite finish, but was ruled offside in the dying moments of the game.
At the full time whistle, the game was all square with the AIFF colts maintaining their unbeaten away record.
The next friendly game is schedule on September 27, 2014 against Signals’ Goa.
Shop
