Ludhiana: I-League leaders Namdhari FC’s four-match winning run came to an end as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Namdhari Stadium on Tuesday. Both goals came in the first half from two Brazilian strikers – Cledson Carvalho da Silva scored his seventh I-League goal for Namdhari before William Alves equalised at the stroke of half-time for Sreenidi Deccan. Namdhari remain at the top of the table with 21 points from 11 games, but Churchill Brothers can overtake them should they beat Real Kashmir on Thursday. Sreenidi Deccan, who have now drawn three of their last four, continue to stay in eighth place with 12 points.
The first big chance of the game fell for David Castañeda, who headed over the bar from inside the six-yard box. Namdhari defender Sukhandeep Singh had done enough to put off the Colombian, looking for his eighth goal of the season.
Ultimately, it took a defensive lapse by Sreenidi Deccan for the hosts to score the opener in the 33rd minute. It should’ve been a routine back pass to the goalkeeper for Eli Sabia but a bit of hesitation allowed Cledson Carvalho da Silva to muscle past him and slot the ball past Aryan Lamba.
And it was Brazilian Cledson’s compatriot, William Alves who cancelled out his goal with a well-taken header at the other end in the 45th minute. The Sreenidi striker got on the end of a cross from the top of the box by Angel Orelien, who got his fifth assist of the season. Namdhari goalkeeper Jaspreet had rushed out to punch the cross, but William did well to get to it ahead of him and glance it into the net. (IANS)
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