GUWAHATI: At the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, here, on Friday, Sudeva Delhi FC and Kerala Blasters FC drew 1-1 in their opening Group "D" match of the Durand Cup 2022.
After KBFC striker Muhammed Ajs'l gave his team a brief advantage in the 42nd minute, Sudeva Delhi FC equalised the score in the second half with a fierce left-footed curler ('5') from Ku'i. After KBFC shot-stopper Sachin Suresh stood tall to make a significant block on an early strike by Basit, Sudeva Delhi moved quickly to launch their attack.
The Sudeva defender reacted quickly and was able to stop the shot with a well-timed tackle as the Blasters continued to make pressure on the Sudeva defence. Ajsal combined with Roshan on one such swift counterattack, and they both blasted one in from the left.
A few minutes later, Roshan once more found himself in scoring position, but Ashray's outstanding last-ditch tackle to halt the "lasters" attack prevented him from scoring. Tejas Krishna received the game's first yellow card in the 37th minute for lunging in late and making a two-footed challenge in the middle of the field.
After Gaurav broke through the Sudeva midfield to put him in a good position between two defenders, Tom's Tchorz's team made a breakthrough when Ajsal calmly and composedly placed a shot well past the reach of the goalkeeper.