I-League Qualifiers -- Corbett FC and ARA kick off with a draw

IN THE GROUP B of I-League Qualifiers 2021, Corbett FC and ARA FC started their respective campaigns with a 1-1 stalemate.

Although Ahmedabad Racquet Association Football Club came in as the favourites in this game, the newcomers Corbett FC put up a fight that caught them by surprise.

Just 15 minutes in, the Uttarakhand-based side took a lead through Himanshu Patil. They also created more chances but were unable to extend their lead beyond one goal.

And ultimately that's what robbed them of a chance to begin their campaign with a major upset victory and three points. As the second half wore on, ARA FC were settling further in. They gained some visible momentum when coach Vivek Nagul brought in their star foreign player Vladislav Nuriev in the attack.

Nuriev came on  after 70 minutes and within just 5 minutes, the Uzbek centre-forward found the net getting ARA FC back on even terms.

The Gujarati club, now on a newfound rhythm, went hard looking for a late winner but didn't have much luck and the clock ran out before they could break the deadlock.

The draw would leave ARA FC like they have dropped two points; a mistake they would try to correct when they face Delhi FC on Thursday. For Corbett FC, a draw is a good result to start off with, although they would regret not holding on a bit longer and equal Kenkre FC at the top of the group's points table to mark a strong national circuit debut day.

On October 9th, Corbett FC would face Delhi FC in their second match; which promises to be one with a massive undertone of old rivalry due to Dynamos Ultras, former supporters of Delhi Dynamos, backing Delhi FC. Corbett FC, incidentally, have a relationship with Odisha FC, the re-branded ISL franchise that was formerly known as Delhi Dynamos.

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