The Hindu : Sport / Football : Venkatesh does the star turn for Mahindra United

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Sport

Sport - Football

Venkatesh does the star turn for Mahindra United

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: Roving attacker Shanmugham Venkatesh buzzed in the midfield as Mahindra United overran Air-India 2-0 in the ONGC Cup 10th National Football League here on Tuesday.

The Mumbai team clinched its maiden NFL title on Monday after its nearest rival East Bengal lost 3-1 to Sporting Clube de Goa in Margao.

Playing without any pressure on Tuesday, decisive goals from Venkatesh and Surajit Bose and confident ball possession were the highlights of the day at the Cooperage.

Mahindra United overcame the loss of goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, red carded for a technical offence, to notch its 11th win in 15 games. The team tops the table with 35 points.

Yusif Yakubu, making up for injured Jose Barreto's absence in the frontline, set up Surajit for the first goal with a timely lob, the latter firing home a booming volley. Steven Dias, introduced into the second half, deceived the A-I defence with a turn around the goalmouth, giving enough time and space for onrushing skipper Venkatesh to receive the pass and tap home on the run.

A-I made spirited attempts to seize control but was kept at bay by MU's pleasing passing bouts.

The NFL title is a double delight for Mahindra, which earlier won the Federation Cup.

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