Mahindra comes from behind to edge out Al Ahed 2-1

Margao, May 2 (UNI) Mahindra United came from behind to edge out formidable Lebanon team Al Ahed 2-1 in the AFC Cup tie played at the Nehru Stadium Fatorda here today.

After trailing 1-0, Mahindra scored two quick goals -- in the 80th minute through Surajit Bose and through David Adjei in the 81st minute. The goal for Al Ahed came in the 51st minute through El Ali Mahmoud.

With this win, Mahindra have taken their points tally to six from five outings but remained on the same third spot below Bahrain's Al Muharraq who are on 10 points followed by Al Ahed on 7 points.

Mahindra will now take on Bangaldesh's Brothers Union in the last home match on May 16, It was a tale of missed chances for both the teams in the first half were restricted to midfield play.

Mahindra United started promisingly and dominated the first 15 minutes of play but faded out as the match progressed. In the 5th minute, David, after collecting a pass from Sushant Matthew, unleashed a shot which landed straight into the hands of Al Ahed goalkeeper Hachem Bilal.

In the 12th minute, a Samson Fernandes header sailed over the bar following a flag kick taken by Sushant Matthew.

After these attacks, the Lebanon team took over and made a series of inroads into the Mahindra Citadel. But, forwards Abu Bakarr Bah and Hassan Maatouk wasted few easy scoring opportunities in the first half.

After a barren first half, Al Ahed regrouped themselves well and shot into the lead in the 51st minute through El Ali Mahmoud off a well-measured cross pass from Ayoub Issam to make it 1-0.

The visitors could have increased their lead in the 78th minute but striker Ayoub Issam's power-packed shot just sailed over the bar.

Ten minutes before the long whistle, Mahindra accelerated the pace of their game and restored parity in the 80th minute through Surajit Bose whose header found the net off a cross pass from Samson Fernandes. 1-1.

Inspired by the equaliser, Mahindra roared back and increased their lead in the next minute through David Adjei who headed in a cross pass from substitute Subhash Charaborthy making it 2-1 for the hosts.

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