Fatorda (Goa), Nehru Stadium: East Bengal missed a plethora of chances to gift away a goalless draw to NFL debutants Fransa today.

The first chance came East Bengal’s way 22 minutes into the match when Jeremiah botched a sitter.Three minutes later East Bengal roared into another attack with Mama setting up Baichung Bhutia who missed with an open goal in front of him.

This marked the beginning of a series of misses from the star striker who just could not find the mark today.58 minutes into the match Baichung, Jeremiah and Mama combined well to tear apart the Fransa defence. But Baichung could not reach the other end of the final pass from Mama. A golden opportunity lost. At least twice more Baichung had a clear look at the goal, but the goal was not destined to come of his boots today.

Immediately after the breather Alvito and Douglas combined well, but the former shot wide from a relatively comfortable position.

Fransa attacked through Sebestion Endro and the forward tested Rajat ghosh Dastidar twice with blockbusters of his own. But the goalie was equal to the occasion as he thwarted both the moves. East bengal defence was tried and tested and the red-golds did face some anxious moments, but M Suresh and his mates assured that no harm was done even as Lewis Aniweta twice moved up to test Rajat, who was picture of confidence below the bar.

Team East Bengal: Rajat Ghosh Dastidar , Rahim Nabi, M Suresh, Selwyn Fernandes , Habbibur Rehman, Malswama, Douglas D’Silva, Jeremiah(Bhola Prasad), Bijen Singh(Climax Lawrence), Alvito D Cunha, Baichung Bhutia.