The home record stayed intact for coach Desmond Bulpin's Indian Arrows after a lacklustre 0-0 draw against Chirag United at the Tau Devi Lal stadium. The first half was largely concentrated in midfield with both sides refusing to relinquish possession. The tested Arrows midfield combination of
Lalrin Dika Ralte, Jewel Raja, Shilton D'Silva and Jibon Singh managed to break into the opposition third with alacrity.
However, Chirag centre-backs Chika Wali and Arnab Mondal thwarted the long balls from midfield with ease. Arrows' strikers Jeje Lalpekhlua and Malsawm Fela found themselves with the ball in the box on a number of occasions but failed to break the deadlock against the side that had beaten them 1-2 in Kolkata.
At the stroke of halftime, the Arrows were handed a golden chance from a Jibon strike from outside the box that was blocked by Chirag custodian Somnath Khara but Fela failed to nick it home on the rebound.
"We missed too many chances in the first half, seven I think. The finishing has been a problem and that particular chance should've been converted," said Bulpin.
Chhetri goes purple
India striker Sunil Chhetri is set to play for Chirag United after being released by MLS side Kansas City wizards. Chhetri, only the second player in the post-Independence era to have plied his trade for a foreign club, and South Korean midfielder Choi Young Il are Chirag United's newest recruits before the I-League transfer window closed Thursday. Chhetri is set to play in the 15th round match against Salgaocar.