Mahindra take home IFA shield

Kolkata, Dec 15 (UNI) Mahindra United piggybagged the 112th IFA shield to Mumbai defeating Mohun Bagan by a solitary goal here today.

The team from Mumbai had a better day in the field and went home deserved winners.

Manjit Singh, who looks to be in regal form, was on fire from the word go and created opportunities one after the other. His perseverance paid off, when in the 12th minute of the match he scored the all-important goal.

He did well to win the ball in the midfield and scorched the turf with a great run before playing a one-two with Yusuf Yakubu, who led it back for him. Manjit let go a power-packed grounder that beat an outstretched Sangram Mukherjee hands down.

The goal seemed to jolt Mohun Bagan from their slumber and they attacked with gusto. The introduction of Dharamjit Singh in place of out-of-sorts Subhash Chakroborty added the much-needed teeth in the green-and-maroon bite.

Baichung Bhutia should bless his stars that he was not sent off for a merciless tackle from behind on Surkumar Singh in the 22nd minute. Bhutia came close to scoring in the 37th minute. His header from a Dulal Biswas assist had direction, but lacked the necessary power to trouble Sandip Nandy.

Nandy again denied the Sikkimese sniper, eight minutes into the second half, but the loose ball gave Jose Ramirez Barreto an opportunity. But the Brazilian was unlucky as his shot came off the cross bar.

In the 63rd minute, Lalkamal Bhowmick found Nandy out of position, but NP Pradeep was there, covering up for his goalkeeper.

The match was played at a brisk pace, but never rose to the heights to be mentioned about.

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