Mahindra United rally to down ITI

Mahindra United scored full points when they beat Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore, 2-1, after trailing by a solitary goal at half-time in the Tata National Football League match at the Cooperage in Mumbai on Friday.

Mohammed Salisu put ITI ahead in the 40th minute, scoring with a left-footer off a pass from winger Kennith Onu.

Mahindra, who were without injured regular goalkeeper Virender Singh, fought back and restored parity in the 65th minute. In fact, they were lucky to get the goal. It was the result of a misunderstanding in the ITI defence. Following a centre from Anthony Pereira, ITI defenders Nitin Pradhan and Jitesh went for the ball but neither cleared it, allowing S Venkatesh enough room to pounce on the opportunity and score.

A couple of minutes later Mahindra's winger Abhishek Yadav made it 2-1 when he smartly booted home striker Austin Okolo's centre, which came off a defender.

Infact, it was the visitors who made the first good move in the 23rd minute, but striker George Ekeh's left footer off medio Raghuveer Singh cross was well saved by Mahindra custodian Naseem Aktar.

Soon after following a counter attack, Okolo's try rebounded off ITI goalkeeper Balaji to an advancing Yadav but his try was well saved by Balaji.

The victory saw Mahindra swell their points tally to 30, the same as ITI, after the 20th round.

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