National Football League champions Mahindra United claimed the Elite Division title in the Mumbai Football League on Thursday after an all-win record in the play-off stage.
Requiring just a point from the concluding fixture to emerge champions, Mahindra garnered the maximum three with a solitary-goal victory over arch-rivals Air India at the Cooperage ground in Mumbai.
The match-winner was scored by striker Abhishek Yadav midway through the second half following a lapse by Air India's substitute custodian Etesham Ahmed while collecting a long range effort from Surkumar Singh.
Mahindra claimed the top position in the six-team play-off stage with 15 points, while Nadkarni Cup champions Air India, who squandered clear-cut openings in the first half, ended up second with 10 points.
Promoted side ONGC, who too had 10 points against their name, finished a respectable third behind the airmen because of an inferior goal difference.
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