United's 1-0 win over home rival Md Sporting keep hope alive

Kolkata, Nov 8 (UNI) Gouranga Dutta's second half goal earned United SC a crucial 1-0 win over their home rival Mohameddan Sporting at the 7th round of the Indian League at Yuba Bharati Krirangan here today.

Gouranga Dutta's second goal of this tournament came from a quality pass in the 62nd minute.

Snehashish Chakraborty running down the left flank sent an aerial pass to Muritala Ali, who chested down the ball beautifully and passed it on to Gouranga whose powerful leftfooter found the net (1-0).

Gouranga was adjudged the man of the match.

Sporting, struggling with six points after this game, was unlucky when Adebayor's stinging rightfooter hit the crosspiece five mintues from the end.

Minutes before Mike Okoro's firepower was repulsed by United custodian Gopal, who manned the bar splendidly.

Coach Subrata Bhattacharjee was very arithmatical since 1-3 defeat to East Bengal in the opener.

He directed his boys not to lose heart and resort to tight ''man marking''. The coach waxed eloquent about his boys for today's performance.

Okoro and Theodore Sunday, rested in the second half, were made stingless with good manmarking by Bidemi Daniel and Sardeep Saini.

United SC with today's win jumped to eight points.

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