Mahindra edges out Brothers Union 1-0

Margao, May 16: An injury minute goal by medio S Venkatesh saw newly NFL-crowned Mahindra United, Mumbai, get better of fighting Bangladesh team Brothers Union by a solitary goal and earn full points in the final round of the AFC CUP group ''A'' tie played under floodlights at the Fatorda Stadium here.

The all-important goal for Mahindra came in the injury minute of the match and ultimately turned the match winner.

With this win, the jeepmen took their points tally to nine from six outings while Brothers Union remained on one point from an equal number of matches.

Mahindra got off to an aggressive start and came up with a couple of fine moves in the first half but faltered at crucial junctures.

The jeepmen came with their first good move as early as in the 18th minute when Yakubu Yusif's full-blooded shot hit the cross bar and deflected towards S Venkatesh who failed to capitalise.

Mahindra had another good chance in the 28th minute when Yakubu Yusif's free kick hit the defence wall and deflected towards David whose power-packed shot landed straight into the hands of Bangladesh team goalkeeper Md Ali.

Though the jeepmen had a better share of exchanges in the first half, the visitors defence stood like a rock and Mahindra were not allowed to settle down and their strikers Yakubu Yusif and S Venkatesh were well marked by the rival defenders.

After the cross over, Mahindra played with renewed vigour and could have surged ahead in the 57th minute when Yakubu moved in a solo effort and unleashed a shot that was well saved by rival goalkeer Md Ali.

The jeepmen were further frustrated in the 76th minute when Md Ali brought off another good save by warding away S Venkatesh's effort off a flag kick by Stevan Dias.

Mahindra achieved the match winner through Venkatesh in the injury minute of the second half. Venkatesh, after collecting a pass from substitute K Anees, unleashed a power-packed shot which hit the cross bar and enter the net. 1-0. Venkatesh made amends for his earlier lapse.

UNI