Bagan, Salgaocar in goalless draw

A stout defence coupled by good goalkeeping by Ali Abubaker helped Salgaocar to hold defending champions Mohun Bagan to a goalless draw in a National Football League match, at Nehru stadium, in Margao, Goa, on Thursday.

The match began on fast pace with both the teams matching each other in the first-half. Bagan, who dominated the second half, having more ball possession and exchanges, came close to scoring thrice but goalkeeper Ali Abubakar did well to foil dangerman Jose Baretto, who threathened to strike whenever he had the ball with him.

Baretto, who was well policed by two or three rival defenders, got rid of his marker on three occassion but his attempts were foiled as Abubakar charged out and saved twice off a pass from R P Singh.

Baretto was unlucky midway into the second half when his try hit the far post after latching on to the ball when defender Robert Fernandes failed to clear.

Earlier, Abubaker made off a good save when he tipped the ball over from James Singh shot off a pass from Baretto.

Salgaocar, who came off with fast counter moves also had scoring chances but Alvito D'Cunha, who troubled the rival defence, failed to get past the rival keeper Rajat Ghosh.

Referee Balu from Karnataka showed yellow acards to Bagan's Jose Barreto and substitute Amar Ganguly.