Mohammed Rafi scored two goals but Kolkata's Chirag United came from behind on both the occasion to earn a 2-2 draw in their I-League fifth round clash against Mahindra United at the Cooperage ground on Tuesday.
In a thrilling match that saw swinging fortunes, Chirag United SC did well to fight back and hold Air India 3-3 in their round three I-League encounter at the floodlit Yuba Bharati Krirangan (YBK) in Kolkata on Tuesday.
The point from the 21st round I-League match was a good enough result for the Mumbai side, who made sure they are safe from relegation. It took their tally to 28 and moved them up to fifth position, while Chirag, with 23 points, have not ensured safety and will have to hope for the best in their last round match against already-relegated Vasco Sports Club in Goa.
A jinx seems to have descended upon the Cooperage in Mumbai with a drought of goals continuing to plague the spectators like an incurable epidemic. The 16th round encounter between Mahindra United and Mohammedan Sporting on Saturday was the fourth consecutive I-League match at the venue where the scorer was not disturbed at all.
Chirag United rallied splendidly from a goal in arrears to beat fancied Mahindra United 3-1 and hand them their second successive defeat in as many matches in the I-League football tournament at the Cooperage in Mumbai on Saturday.
Defending champions Dempo kick-off their campaign in the second edition of the I-League on September 28. This I-League will commence on September 26, with East Bengal taking on debutantes Chirag United at Barasat Stadium and Sporting Clube de Goa meeting Vasco in Goa.
Mohammedan Sporting scored in quick succession after the break to beat JCT 2-0 in the ONGC I-League at Yuba Bharati Kriragan in Salt Lake on Saturday.
Mahindra United scored twice in the second half to blank Chirag United 2-0 in a 13th round encounter of the ONGC I-league at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Sunday. The Mumbai side drew first blood through Steven Dias and then settled the issue through Edeh Chidi, as the local side failed to convert their few chances.
Air-India's patented try this, try that tactics to unsettle the opposition clicked again on Saturday as they managed to beat a superior Chirag United by a solitary goal in a fourth round I-League match at the Cooperage in Mumbai. The all-important strike came from the boots of medio Surojit Roy from another patented long throw in by Uttam Singh from the right flank in the 71st minute.
A fine hat-trick by willy Brazilian striker Jose Ramirez Barreto guided champions Mohun Bagan to a 3-1 drubbing of Chirag United in their second outing of the IFA Premier division football league in Kolkata on Tuesday.
George Telegraph shock East Bengal Nigerian striker Shaheed Olawale scored twice in a 3-1 victory in the Kolkata Premier Football League.
Dempo Sports Club and Churchill Brothers registered convincing victories at the Federation Cup football tournament.
The defending champions scored a 1-0 victory over Kolkata's Chirag United in the opening match of the tournament.
Mohun Bagan routed Chirag United 4-1 in the IFA Premier League.
Chhetri is currently the highest goal-scoring active Asian player with 64 strikes from 101 matches and third in the world after superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Wednesday.