Football: Federation Cup: Mahindra, Churchill settle for 2-2 draw

Mahindra United of Mumbai and Churchill Brothers of Goa kept their hopes alive for a semi-final berth when they settled for a 2-2 draw in their league match in group B of the 30th Federation Cup at Vidyasagar stadium in Barasat on Monday evening.

Both the teams have so far earned four points from two matches though the Mumbai outfit is having a better goal average.

The Mumbai team combined well and displayed better passing than their rivals, who preferred to play with long passes which failed to create much danger on the rival fort most of the time.

Mahindra forged into the lead in the 12th minute when Nigerian striker Edeh Chidi, collecting the ball in the rival area, passed the ball to compatriot Sushil Kumar singh who placed it home over the Churchill keeper.

Stung by the reverse, Churchill forced an all out attack and their striker Odafe Okolie gave a backpass to onrushing Dinesh Balan who shot home to bring the equaliser.

Inspired with the leveller, Churchill kept up their pressure and came near scoring again around the midway of first half but Mahindra custodian Subhashish Roy Chowdhury brought up a nice save.

After surviving two Mumbai raids in a couple minutes, Churchill went into attack a minute before the half time and forged ahead through a penalty, which was awarded when Sushant Mathew tripped a goal-bound Odafa inside the box.

Odafa neatly converted the spot kick to take the lead 2-1 which was, however, short-lived as Steven Dias drew level 2-2 soon

Football: I-League: Bhaichung Calls For Better Coverage

Bhaichung, alongwith Steven Dias, inaugurated the second edition of Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars ’09 where in the final stage, 16 Indian youngsters would get a chance to participate in the Arsenal International Soccer Festival.

“For the Indian players to be followed, we need a much better coverage of the games. When we play, those matches must be shown,” said the veteran Indian skipper.

Incidentally, football fans in the country could only see the first half of the I-League match between Mohun Bagan and Mahindra United and were bereft of the winner scored by Bhaichung. Mohun Bagan had a disastrous start to their I-League campaign and Bhaichung acknowledged it stating, “It was the worst start by Mohun Bagan in their entire NFL (National Football League or the now I-League) history. But credit to the players, coaches and the management for the great recovery.”

The Sikkimese Sniper went on to speak on life after football and spoke of his desire to have a world-class Academy in India.

“It’s my dream project. I want to have an Academy of the highest quality but for that the minimum is 40 acres of land.”

Football: I League: Mohun Bagan sink Mahindra

Mohun Bagan bounced back into the reckoning after registering their fifth win on the trot by prevailing over Mahindra United 1-0 in an ONGC I-league match at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday.

The all important goal was netted by Indian captain and striker Baichung Bhutia in the 48th minute.

Determined to earn full points, both the teams started on an even keel and exchanged attacks on each other.

Mahindra were unlucky not to score a goal in the 10th minute as Bagan defender Peter Odafe made a goal-line save off a fine attempt by rival medio Pradip who outwitted goalie Sangram Mukherjee. But, to Bagan’s relief Pradip’s shot went off after hitting Odafe’s leg.

The city giants had a chance to forge ahead three minutes before breather but medio Rakesh Masih’s shot went out after hitting keeper Subhasis Roy Choudhury.

However, Bagan did not have to wait long for the match winner which came three minutes after the change-over. This time, Baichung converted a half chance of Lal Kamal Bhowmik.

Bagan dominated the proceedings for the rest of the match but could not increase the lead.

After the completion of tenth round, Bagan after this win is in the second spot in the league table with 18 points from 10 matches while Mahindra stayed put at nine points.

Sporting Clube de Goa lead the table with 22 points.