Air India, JCT draw goalless

Mumbai's Air India and JCT Mills, Phagwara, played out a goalless draw in their 10th National Football League tie at the Cooperage in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Air India had the better share of goal-scoring chances in a mediocre match between teams fighting to avoid relegation.

The draw left both level on 14 points from 13 matches, though JCT hold a better goal difference.

Air India's Nigerian import Bashiru Ahmed Abbas came close to finding the mark twice in the match.

In the 20th minute, he kicked the ball wide after collecting a long throw-in from Uttam Singh.

Sixteen minutes later, he was about to pounce on a loose ball after JCT custodian Kalyan Choube misjudged the bounce, but an alert Narendar Singh made a timely clearance before Bashiru could latch on to it.

JCT had one clear look at the rival goal when Brazilian Marcos Pereira essayed a snap shot, but Air India goalkeeper Raju Ekka proved equal to the task.