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NT Bureau
Chennai, May 17:
 

The India-Iraq Pre-Olympic qualifier match in Chennai provided interesting fare with the host pulling off a creditable draw yesterday. Photo: R Giri

        Indian goalkeeper Paul Subrata's smart opening minute save sent the message that he meant business. That he had a great deal work to do till the business end of the contest meant the hosts sharing points and salvaging some pride in the 1-1 deadlock against Iraq in the pre-Olympic football qualifier at the Nehru Stadium here yesterday.

        That Iraq having qualified for the main phase could not take away any credit of the Indian team. Just one chance came the hosts way and they made capital good of that, coming much against the run of play.

        Iraq called the early shots and the barrage of moves made it a virtual siege at the Indian end. Paul was quick to narrow the angle and deny the casual left-footed effort of Fareed-M-Ghadban, who had smelled a goal following the course of a long clearance.

        A hustle and bustle Muhammad Ali Karem gave a torrid time to the Indian defence which stood the test well. Masih Rakesh was the pick in that arc while the midfield mobility of Debabrata Roy and Saikh Tarif Ahmed gave something to cheer for the good number of supporters. The visitors too were egged on by the sizeable number of their student community.

        For all their dominance, Iraq had to cross over without any numerical meaning to their unending probings. A goal looked imminent and it came duly when a perfectly positioned Kerrar-J-Muhamed smacked in a header to the far post meeting a Haider-S-Husan free kick.

        Far from rattled, India hung on, using the flanks to slip through the crosses. Saikh Tarif Ahmed looked a loner for the best part but came up with that smack on equaliser. Syed Rahim Nabi had provided the pass where Saikh's placement undid Md Kasid Khadum in the goal. Iraq defence had hoped for the linesman's flag to go up for offside.

        Close to the hooter, Iraq substitute Halkard-M-Mohammed twice had Subrata Paul at his mercy. First, he failed to connect with the Indian defence in a shambles and Paul nowhere in sight. Second time though, Paul stood ground to negate a scorcher to the near post.

        Earning a solitary point from five matches was indeed a hard earned one for India. Iraq take on North Korea in their final second round which will decide the Group E winners.