Kolkata, Mar 13 : Shillong Lajong FC and Techno Aryan Club shared points when they drew 1-1 in the inaugural match of the 115th IFA Shield played at Yuba Bharati Krirangan here today. Local outfit TAC opened the scoreline when striker Thoiba Singh slotted home in a counter-attack in the 20th minute. But their lead was levelled six minutes later, when Shillong Lajong forward booted home to share one point each between the rivals in the Group B game on the artificial turf at YBK. Though TAC had dominated the proceeding but they could not make much of it in their advantage as the frontliners were clueless in the finishing line. Barring some surprising run with the ball and few good crossings from TAC's left-winger Baba Thunde, the local outfits played a most ordinary game failing to take advantage of home ground in the second half. TAC, a 2nd division I-League team, broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when Manipur's boy Thoiba Singh volleyed home a cross from Nigerian Baba Thunde to beat Lajong goalkeeper L Palte. Stung by a counter attack goal the visitors, who also play in the second division of I-League, regrouped and made a sporadic attacks to level the score. Their success came from a surprising defensive lapses when TAC defender Louise was fooled by speed and agility from Racy in the 26th minute of play. Agile Racy snatched from Louise and moved past another defender to bead Shibram Dey to restore the parity of the game in the round robin league play.
In the fag end, Baba Thunde made goal socring move but his cross into the empty goalmouth was wasted as none of his mate could make on time as ball rolled past line. Tunde, who was adjudged Man of the Match, also had another chance but he failed to hit the target.
Lajong were also unlucky not to have a goal when a shot from Lalramhua hit the cross-piece in the first half. Federation Cup winners East Bengal will take on Southern Samity in the Group A match tomorrow.
East Bengal are in group A with holders Churchill Brothers, Shandong Lueng FC from mainland China, Mohammedan Sporting (Kolkata) and Southern Samity.
In group B Mohun Bagan, Chirag United SC, Techno Aryan Club, Shillong Lajong FC, and Pune FC.