
Guwahati : Sudeva dominated possession in the first half and had the larger share of attacks but could not press home the advantage. Md. Ajsal received the ball in front of the box and drove in, shooting from near the penalty spot area to beat keeper Kabir Kohli in the Sudeva goal.
In response to which Kerala Blasters’ Mangku Kuki received the ball on the right from a quicky taken throw-in in the attacking third, controlled and then cut in to gracefully curl it into the top corner to draw parity.
Sudeva threw everyone forward in the final minutes of the game but beyond some set-pieces, nothing fruitful came.
𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞!
The last 10 minutes of the first half lit up the show as it's all square at 1-1 at the break. It promises to be a thriller in the second half. Stay tuned! ⚽📲#SDFCKBFC ⚔️#IGAS 🏟️#DurandCup 🏆#IndianOilDurandCup 🏆#DurandCup2022 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/a10pDejUWd
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 19, 2022
In the other game, defending champions FC Goa bounced against Indian Air Force. Muhammed Nemil scored the victory goal at Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK), Kolkata.
In the second-half, the Airmen did try to put pressure but could not breakthrough the organised and well-schooled Gaurs defence.
𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞!
The defending champions @FCGoaOfficial registers their first win of this edition of @thedurandcup, as they earn a hard-fought victory over @IAF_MCC. Nemil scored the winner for #FCG. #FCGIAF ⚔️#DurandCup 🏆#DurandCup2022 🏆#IndianFootball ⚽#Matchday pic.twitter.com/XXy7WIZXpI
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 19, 2022
Aqib hit the cross-bar and then substitute Prabhjot Singh unleashed a wonderful free-kick, drawing a fantastic save from Goa keeper Hrithik Tiwari in the last ten minutes.