Mahindra keep tempo vs Dempo

With the teams locked 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra time, the deadlock was resolved through penalty shoot out in which Mahindra made most of the occation to romp home winners.

For Mahindra N Pradeep, Harpreet Singh and Djiaja Pierre scored. Only Edeh Chidi hit the target for Dempo while Roberto Silva, Climax Lawrence and Ranti missed.

Playing without their start striker Steven Dias, Mahindra United proved tactically superior on the day with Sandeep Nadi controlling the midfield well. However, both Dempo and Mahindra treaded their paths cautiously, not giving a chance to the rivals. This amounted in a dull game with none trying to make any worthwhile forays. With tight defence on either side, the forwards of both teams were struggling to find space to make inroads.

Indeed, it looked as if the teams were trying to play the game in the minds rather then on the field, particularly after watching a thriller yesterday between the two Kolkatan teams. The only remarkable thing about the day’s play was the man under Mahindra bar — Sandeep Nandy. He was simply superb with great anticipation. However he was later substituted with Subsish Rai Chaudary.

It all started with Manjit Singh who, with repeated raids into the Dempo territory, found the hole to draw first blood in the 31st minute when his power-packed right-footer brooked little challenge from custodian Abhijit Mondal. But Mahindra’s joy was shortlived as Chidi sent in a curling ball to Ranti whose powerful strike went straight to Nandy. But Beto trapped the rebount well to score the equaliser five minutes later.

In fact, both teams had chances coming their way during the regeulation period but their forwards failed to finish, often muffing it at the goalmouth. But with teams playing for time and determined to take it beyond the regulation time, one thought something positive will emerge in the extra time. However, even the 30 minutes of extra time did not bear any fruit, resulting in the shoot out.