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Federation Cup: Mahindra United Ease Past Mohammedan Sporting
Mahindra United win an easy game to go top of the group..
23-Dec-2009 8:05:07 PM
Mahindra United strolled past a very out of sorts Mohammedan Sporting side 1-0 to go top of group B, after their clash at the Nehru Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. The Kolkata side crashed to their second defeat in two games, and hence are out of the tournament.
The game started fairly evenly with both sides having a go at each other. Mahindra sent in a few crosses from the right as Biswas took on pot shots from distance for Mohammedan. The front trio of the Kolkata side, namely Edu, Sunday and Thakur too started really well, playing some neat touches among themselves. The first real opportunity though fell to Mahindra as Steven Dias’ shot from outside the box whizzed past the post.
Mahindra slowly started to get a grip on the game as Muritala Ali and Sushil Kumar got involved more and more. Off a free kick mid way though the first half, Ali got a clear shot at goal but completely mishit it. With the very next move Mahindra keeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury made an absolute cracker of a save. A low cross from Thakur was met by Sunday all of 3 yards out but the glovesman somehow managed to tip it over, showing great reflexes.
Mahindra's midfield started to dominate the proceedings in the middle of the park and even though Mohammedan’s Brazilian striker Edu tried his best to run through the defence, it became apparent that Shabbir Ali's men were going to have a tough evening. The first half ended soon, with Mahindra constantly running into a wall of Mohammedan players, who were all getting behind the ball.
The second half began just as the first had ended. Mahindra’s midfield had all the possession and looked for an opening. Muritala Ali and Sushil Kumar were holding the ball well and playing sleek passes between themselves. One of the moves in the 53rd minute saw Ali get a yard of space and he shot from 25 yards. Mohammedan keeper Manas Baruah failed to hold onto it in the first attempt, and tried to palm it away as he was off balance, but the onrushing Paresh Shivalkar tapped it in to open the scoring with one of the easiest goals he would score.
With an hour played, Mahindra United looked very comfortable, but Denzil Franco picked up a knock and was substituted with Pradeep coming in as a replacement. The game seemed to go into hibernation as Muritala and Sushil tried to break through the Mohammedan defence but constantly hit a barrage of bodies behind the ball from Sporting.
Edu began to get frustrated and a few tackles started flying in. Shabbir Ali didn’t want to take a risk with Edu’s temper and the Brazilian was withdrawn with Dipendu Biswas coming in. David Booth brought in Ajayan and the pacy Thoi Singh, looking for the second goal and sealing the match.
But the Mohammedan defence held on. And with the Mahindra attack all over them the game ended with a solitary goal being scored. At full time it was Mahindra United 1-0 Mohammedan Sporting. Towards the end of the game, Mohammedan coach Shabbir Ali was livid with the referee as during the closing stages, Muritala and Bipen Thapa were involved in a dual.
A few ugly scenes followed, but no handbags were thrown, and the Mohammedan coach was also seen shaking hands with David Booth, bringing the matter to a close.
Mahindra are now top of the Group B whereas Mohammedan reel at the bottom of the group with two losses in two games, and will return to Kolkata afer their final game against Chirag United.
Goalscorer:
Mahindra United - Paresh Shivalkar (53')\
Venkatesha Sharma
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