Kolkata: Pailan Arrows went down to Prayag United 2-1 despite dominating for most part of the match, they were also inlucky to hit cross-piece twice in a crucial I-League match at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday (April 5). The win took Prayag to 38 points from 23 matches while Pailan Arrows stay on 8 points from 20 matches.
However, Pailan had a chance to equalise when CS Sabeeth missed an open header off a perfect Tirthankar Sarkar cross down the left. Sarkar, who with his incisive floaters had the Prayag defence stretching and guessing all throughout, also tested Prayag goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal off a corner.
Mondal also palmed a couple of powerful shots from Pailan medio Prabir Das in the first half and stayed lucky when another of Prabir’s shots hit the post with him beaten.
Changing over, Pailan equalised in 62nd minute. A perfect cross off Prabir Das from the right was headed in by Sabeeth.
But the joy didn’t last long. It lasted just three minutes and ended with a World Class goal. Shylo Malsawmtulunga finished it off as he showcased his class with a clever tap which foxed Pailan goalkeeper Naveen Kumar.
Pailan counter-attacked. In the 77th minute substitute Bikramjit Singh (Sr) hit the post with Mondal beaten. They did attack relentlessly but the Prayag defence managed to hang on.
By Indian Sports News Network
