Playing their first season in the ONGC I-League, local outfit Chirag United held favourites Churchill Brothers to a goalless draw at Vidyasagar Stadium in Barasat on Sunday night.
Though on paper Churchill were termed favourites, it was Chirag United who dominated right through, with medio Snehasish Chakrabarty and custodian Ravikant excelling in their respective areas.
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Besides feeding the strikers with good passes, Snehashish came down to strengthen the defence. For his efforts he was adjuged man of the match.
Even Nigerian Odafa, the main striking force in the Goan side, could not penetrate the compact United defence.
After Odafa failed to cash in on an opportunity in the 10th minute before he was tackled by United defender Hardeep Saini, the local side wrested control of the game and made a series of raids on the rival fort, but their front liners, Gauranga Dutta and Raleng, failed to finish.
United almost earned the lead in the 30th minute, but Snehashish's pile driver from a free-kick missed the target narrowly.
As in first-half, Churchill's attacks were stonewalled by the home side's defence in the second session. Once a fine attempt by Felix was smartly saved by United keeper Ravikant.
Churchill came near scoring in the 79th and 86th minutes but Ravikant saved Nicholau Rodrigues's shot and Zenith Genious's shot missed the target.
Both the teams have four points each. Chirag United played three matches, while Churchill two.