Mahindra United increase
lead at the top

Despite being outplayed for a major part, Mumbai's Mahindra United managed to beat Mohun Bagan 2-0 in a National Football League match at the Cooperage, in Mumbai, on Thursday.

Two opportunistic goals saw the Mumbai champions pick full points and increase their lead at the top.

Mahindra held early ascendancy but their ploy of going defensive after forging ahead almost cost them dearly. After falling in arrears, Bagan took control and called the shots. However, their strikers either balooned over the crossbar or a were thwarted by a timely deflection.

Mahindra went ahead in the 18th minute, when Jules Alberto's free kick from the extreme left dipped near Suresh, who cleverly headed it to an unmarked Venkatesh. The latter's first time shot bulged the Bagan net.

A little before that goal, Salui's mistake almost cost Bagan. The foreigner tapped the ball straight in the path of Mahindra's Anthony D'Souza, whose shot missed the target by inches.

Mahindra consolidated their lead in the 82nd minute through Austin Okolo, who darted in well to head home a fine cross from the left by Alberto.

Bagan relied too much on their Brazilian striker Jose Barreto, who dazzeled in patches. However, good marking by Mahindra defenders Tapan and Bernard, prevented him from making any impression on the outcome of the match.

The match was marred by numerous fouls, and five Mahindra players -- Tapan, Suresh, Eroje, Siddique and Okolo -- recieved yellow cards, mainly for hacking Barreto. The Brazilian himself was also shown a yellow in the second half along with his campatriot Amauri D'Silva.

Mahindra have 22 points. Bagan and ITI are in second place with 19.

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