Mahindra storm into
Durand Cup final

Three second-half strikes powered Mumbai's Mahindra United to a 3-0 victory over Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore, and into the final of the Durand Cup football tournament, in Delhi, on Wednesday.

The Mumbai champions will meet the winner of Thursday's second semi-final, between Kolkata's East Bengal and Goa's Zee Churchill, on February 16.

Julies Alberto Dias fired the first salvo for Mahindra in 16th minute of second session. Subtitute S Venkatesh increased the tally in the 80th minute before Nigerian Auston Okolo could complete the rout a minute before the final whistle.

In a match of fluctuating fortunes, ITI had things under control for most of the first-half. The Bangalore side moved better and had more possession than Mahindras, but despite getting several scoring opportunities failed to find the mark.

However, in the second session, it was Mahindra, winners of the title in 1998 and runners-up in 1999 and 2000, who turned the match around with a superb display of teamwork and precise finishing.

114th Durand Cup 2002 - the complete coverage
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