Tollygunge stun Mahindra

Tollygunge Agragami rode on a spectacular second half display to stun star-studded Mahindra United 2-1 in an eighth National Football League encounter in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Trailing 0-1 at the breather, the local outfit upped the ante in the second half and struck twice early in the latter session through Nigerian Akeem Abolanle and Jiten Rai to hand the Federation Cup champions a shock defeat at the Salt Lake stadium.

Earlier, Raphael Patron Akapko put Mahindra ahead in the 16th minute, but the Mumbai club failed to maintain the momentum as Tollygunge gradually took control of the match and held sway.

The Tollygunge midfield, led by the hardworking Samsi Reza, displayed good combination to create chances as the visitors looked rudderless with every advancing minute.

Patron's goal came about following a goalkeeping lapse by Tollygunge's Chinmoy Banerjee. The Nigerian shot into the net from close after Chinmoy failed to clear properly a Rauf Khan corner.

Akeem restored parity in 50th minute when a Kabijit Khotel free-kick eluded Mahindra custodian Kalyan Choubey and the African striker calmly headed home.

The goal boosted the Tollygunge players and soon after Rai netted a beauty after running a fine solo on receiving the ball. He cut into the rival box, dodged past an opponent player and slotted home with an angular grounder with Choubey helplessly out of his charge.

Tollygunge and Mahindra both have six points from four outings.