 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Mahindra United scored a goal in each half to down Vasco in a sixth round match of the ONGC I-League, at the Nehru stadium, in Margao, Goa, on Saturday.
Mahindra, who led 1-0 at half-time scored through Edeh Chidi (40th minute) and Sushil Kumar Singh (51st).
Mahindra have six points from six matches, while Vasco remain at the bottom of the league table with one point.
Mahindra, who badly needed a victory having suffered four defeats, surged ahead in the 40th minute through a penalty after coming close to scoring on a couple of occasions.
Edeh Chidi, who was moving with the ball dangerously inside the box, was brought down by Vasco defender Fulganco Cardozo and referee Arjunan awarded a penalty, which Chidi himself converted to take Mahindra into the second session a goal up.
Vasco stitched some good moves and had two clear chance to equalise in the first-half but first Menino Fernandes, who was unmarked on the top of the box, volleyed the ball wide off the mark in 22nd minute, and two minutes before the interval, Agnelo D'Souza's rasping shot was put out by diving rival 'keeper Subhasish Chowdhury for an abortive corner.
Mahindra increased the lead after the change of ends when Sushil Kumar Singh, who intercepted a cross from Chidi, sent an angular low shot that beat diving 'keeper Milagrio Medeira and found the net.
Medeira showed good reflexes under the bar and came to his side's rescue two minutes later, keeping out a shot off substitute Mohammed Rafi following a Chidi pass.
Mahindra striker Justine Stephen was named man of the match.
Referee A Arjunan showed the yellow card to Vasco's Sunil Kumar and Sherzod Nazarov, and Mahindra's K N Ajayan and Sukhwinder Singh.