Diwakaran strike stuns Mahindra Tractors

John Leitao scored the all-important goal for Holiday Inn in the 25th minute.

Francis Fernandes’ flagkick was good enough for Diwakaran to head in without too much ado minutes after a threatening run by him resulted in Tractors’ goalkeeper being sent off.

With just a defender to beat and plenty of space to run, Diwakaran was on his way to what wouldhave been a simple chance when he was thwarted by an advancing Atif Ansari. Ansari, however, advanced far too much and saw red for handling the ball outside the box.

Tractors’ domination had ended as Dadar sprung into life well into the 75th minute of the match when Sylvester Dickson missed scoring off a pass by Someshwar Yadav.

Till then, the ball stayed almost wholly in the Dadar half. Anthony Fernandes hit wide off a clear chance in the middle of the first half while Nigel Mathias’ cross missed the far post and a sprinting Lance Fonseca by inches.

Substitute Anthony Powel tried twice — one an optimistic long-ranger in the 55th minute that had goalkeeper Nilesh Chavan getting his fingers to it and another a minute before close. The defensive error prompted Powel hit hard but wide after Wilfred Pereira of Dadar messed up a clearance.