Mahindra squeeze past Chirag
AGENCIES
KOLKATA, MARCH 28
Teams from Kolkata continued their poor form with Chirag United SC becoming the latest casualty at home on Sunday when Mahindra United registered a solitary goal win to end their winless streak and remained on course for a title contention in the ONGC I-League at Salt lake stadium, here.
After a first-half stalemate where both the teams failed to score, Subair Muritala Ali scored the winner in the 57th minute after the changeover.
Mahindra now have 33 points up their kitty but with leaders Dempo winning their match against JCT (2-1), the Mumbai outfit will are on the second spot. Dempo have 35 points from 18 matches.
Following the change of guard with Anjan Nath becoming the stand-in coach, Chirag shone with two away wins – Mumbai FC (2-0) and Salgaocar (2-1) – but alas, their run was halted at home with Mahindra United back to winning ways following two draws against East Bengal (1-1) and minnows Viva Kerala (1-1).
The home side sorely missed the services of their mercurial Brazilian striker Edmilson who was handed a two-match for spitting on Churchill Brothers’ Robert. In Edmilson’s absence, Josimar and Ashim Biswas led the attack but they failed to convert their opportunities as their misses proved costly for the local outfit.
The teams had a tentative start with Mahindra organising their defence that missed India U-23 player Denzie Franco who had to sit out due to a double booking. But Chirag were unable to capitalise on the frail defence with Josimar and Ashim finding the going tough. The duo showed some lack in coordination as Chirag had a chance in the sixth minute but Ashim wasted the opportunity with an off-target header.
Chirag tried to pressurise but could not make inroads. In the 17th minute, Gouranga Dutta muffed in front of the goal as the goalless stalemate prevailed.
Just before the break, Mahindra went in for a counter-attack with Steven Dias initiating the move but Chirag’s defence manned by Eduardo thwarted the effort.
It was in the 57th minute that Muritala scored from a throw-in. The goal resulted from a defensive lapse by the local boys. With no Chirag defender in sight, Muritala scored off a back volley to bring on the match-winner.
The sudden lead caught Chirag on the backfoot as they failed to bounce back with Josimar and Ashim having a poor day. In fact, the scoreline could easily had been 2-0 but Muritala missed a sitter, hitting the post minutes after his goal.
Muritala Ali was adjudged man-of-the match.
