It was goalless but not soulless. Although Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC didn't trouble the scoreboard on their I-League debut, the two teams would be happy that they managed to open their account in India's top football tournament.
The result couldn't have been fairer because neither side did enough to nail three points.
The debutants had two sharp chances each before the break but lost steam in the second, which tested their physical strength more than their tactical or technical prowess.
The teams that got the nod for the I-League only a month ago can certainly look at the result in positive light ahead of tougher battles ahead.
The home team enjoyed a better start in terms of chances but failed to make it count with Lalnunmawia missing presentable chances while Minerva never came within a sniffing distance of a goal after the break.
