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JCT 2 – 0 Viva Kerala
JCT gave their title credentials a massive boost when they downed Viva 2-0 at home. The play was mostly cagey in the first 45 minutes as both sides struggled to dominate in the mid of the park. Neither team failed to break the deadlock and the score line read 0-0 at half time.
The second 45 saw a different approach from JCT. The words of the coach definitely had he desired effect as JCT made their intent clear.
Sunil Chhetri was a constant threat to the Viva backline. In the 56th minute Chhetri dribbled past the Viva defenders and laid the ball for Eduardo to slot in. 1-0 JCT. In the 60th minute, Chhetri went one better. Dribbling past three defenders, he shot the ball past the Viva custodian. A dazzling goal deserved by the performance put in by Chhetri.
Viva had a few late chances most notably Wisdom in the 81st minute who saw his shot drift inches wide. Baba Thunde had his shot rebound off the post in the last couple of minutes.
Viva are now very close to the drop zone and will surely look to recreate the form of the earlier rounds. With Dempo losing to Mahindra, JCT now trail by only two points and with six rounds to go, have a huge chance of upsetting the Dempo bandwagon.
Mahindra United 3 – 1 Dempo S.C
The clash of the round undoubtedly as the Goan giants squared off against the Red Devils at the Cooperage. Dempo started the match in charge as they won a few early corners.
After managing to quell the Dempo attacks, Mahindra emerged from their defense and immediately embarked on attacks of their own. Nicolau Borges and Samir Naik were struggling to keep up with Steven Dias and Sushant Matthew.
Mahindra were rewarded as in the 18th minute. Mahesh Gawli made a hash of a clearance which fell straight to Sukhwinder Singh. Sukhwinder went past John Dias and blasted in a sweet left footer to give the home team the lead.
The chances continued to come as Ranti and Steven Dias saw their balls go to waste on either side. Steven Dias had his cross headed narrowly wide by front man Mensah. Mensah though made up with a goal in the 32nd minute and Dempo were stunned.
Sushant Matthew and Steven Dias again the creators as the Ghanain slotted it into the top left corner. The second half saw Dempo attack with renewed fervour, but instead it was Douhou who scored at the other end to signal “GAME OVER” as a contest.
With their pride to play for, Dempo managed to pull one back in the last minute through Ranti Martins.
Only last weekend when Dempo were looking unbeatable and looked to be steamrollering their way to the championship, Mahindra United have shown their credentials and undone a brilliant Dempo side with some brilliance of their own.
Credit to Steven Dias, Sushant Matthew, Mensah and Douhou who had an excellent outing.
Churchill Brothers. 2 – 1 Salgaocar
Churchill left it late at the Fatorda as they needed an injury time penalty from Odafa to beat their struggling neighbours.
Churchill started the game on the wrong note as they let Salgaocar get into their stride. They paid for it dearly as Rocus Lamare scored from 30 yards to give Salgaocar a shock lead.
Churchill went into the break down. This is where Mr.Karim Bencharafa earns his money. He made some tactical modifications and it was a different Churchill that came out in the 2nd half.
Churchill played well and got their reward when Mboyo Iyomi hit from range to draw the teams level. The scores remained level till the 93rd minute when Odafa was adjudged to have been brought down in the box. Odafa himself stepped up and kept his nerve to stroke home from the spot.
A relieved Churchill now are four points adrift of Dempo and will surely believe in their Championship bid.
Air India 1 – 0 Sporting Clube de Goa
Air India were another side that needed a late, late winner to pull themselves clear of the relegation zone. Both teams looked out of sorts and lacked the incisiveness and vision. More than the players, the referee seemed to be gunning for the man of the match as he brandished a card to Nirmal Chhetri after Basheeru tripped.
Several other contentious decisions were made. The only chance in the 1st half came through Parvinder Singh which was well saved by AI custodian Arnab.
The second half was more of the same as both teams failed to ignite proceedings. The inspiration came through the substitution of Narendra Meetei in place of Samson Singh. The last 10 minutes saw both sides play like they should have for the first 80.
Elijah Junior had a half chance towards the end as his weak effort was smothered by Arnab. With the very last throw of the dice though, Uttam Singh’s throw in was headed towards Basheeru by Suley Musah and Basheeru delightfully stroked in to send the Air India supporters in a frenzy.
Mohun Bagan 2 – 0 East Bengal
The Bengal derby is not an ideal first game in charge but Manoranjan Bhattacharya decided to take his chances.
East Bengal were looking to get out of the relegation spots as they were trying to rectify a season gone horribly wrong. McDonald Mukansi continued his poor run with a shot blazed over in the early minutes.Mehtab Hussain had a valid claim for a penalty rejected as he was toppled over by Mohanraj inside the Bagan box.
The deadlock was broken by Bagan as Lal Kamal Bhowmick pounced on a mispass by Syed Rahim Nabi. He sent it for Baretto who squared for Bhaichung who dealt a bitter blow to his former side.
Early in the second half, Bagan were reduced to 10 men as Douglas was sent of for a second book able offence. Despite the numerical advantage, East Bengal failed to make the extra man count.
Again Baretto and Bhutia combined in the 61st minute and dealt a killer blow to the Red and Gold army’s resolve. Baretto’s cross for Bhaichung was desperately cleared by Surkumar Singh and the ball flew towards goal only to be stopped by Subrata Pal.
The keeper’s parry went towards Dharamjit who was denied by the woodwork. The rebound fell to Bhaichung who gratefully slotted home for his second.
Bhaichung again proving to be a thorn in his former team’s side. The irritated East Bengal fans vented their ire on the East Bengal officials and it was a sorry sight in the Salt Lake as the Red and Maroon army again crumbled.
Standings:
1: Dempo 27

2: JCT 25

3: Churchill 23

4: Mohun 20

5: Mahindra 17

6: Air India 14

7: Sporting 12

8: Kerala 12