Raman Vijayan scores the winner

By Our Special Correspondent

PONDICHERRY, JUNE 14. Raman Vijayan, who switched from Bengal to Mumbai, started his new stint with a goal to help Mahindra and Mahindra, renamed Mahindra United now, edge Manaksia Tolygunge Agragami 1- 0 in a quarterfinal league match of the Pondicherry Millennium all India invitation football tournament at the floodlit Indira Gandhi complex here on Wednesday.

It was a contest that was like the floodlighting here, good only in patches. Not a surprise considering both these teams, being National league outfits, played with safety as the first priority. Like on paper the teams looked level in exchanges for much of the initial phase of the first session. If it was Aqueel Ansari, the hero of Maharashtra's Santosh trophy win recently in Thrissur, who held the reigns for Mahindra then mention has to be made of Shasthi Duley for his untiring work for Tollygunge. Short in stature but a bundle of energy, Shasthi was here, there and everywhere, in his bid to give some direction to the Calcutta side's approach.

The first note of aggression came from Tollygunge Nigerian recruit, Abdul Lateef who tested Virender Singh under the bar. Lateen showed his penchant to take pot shots but the Mahindra custodian never laxed in concentration. Action meandered and the slow proceedings lulled the gathering until a minute past the half hour, a throw in by Mahindra's Nigerian recruit Bernard Operanozie from near flag post, saw Aqueel relaying the ball into the Tollygunge defence with another header. Raman was there in wait and in a split second found room to get his right foot to tap past Prasanta Dora.

The initial enterprise of Mahindra died out by second session. Substitutions came in but the Mumbai side slowly resorted to strengthening its defence. Tollygunge saw the opportunity and went all out, sometimes sending all ten players to the Mumbai half.

In this midst came Bernard's show of tantrums, getting two yellow cards in quick succession and going out with automatic red card punishment. Reduced to ten men, Mahindra decided on closing shop, made its defence area highly tenanted. Mention has to be made of Christopher, who effected several interceptions to frustrate Tollugunge till the end and ensured Mahindra started off on full three points gain.

Vasco holds ITI

Vasco Goa made a last minute bid and robbed ITI Bangalore of full points by forcing a 2-2 draw in another quarterfinal league match. While Vasco is out of the tournament with one point from two matches, the result now puts additional pressure on ITI when it plays Mohun Bagan on Thursday for the semi final slot.

ITI has to blame itself for pedalling back after wresting the lead. The casualness was inexplicable and it came too early in the second session when once Firoz in the defence almost gifted an opportunity away. But the transformation for Vasco came with the induction of Caitan Pinho midway. He formed an able foil in the attack as ITI repeatedly conceded territorial advantage to the Goan team.

Came the final moments and Vasco which had forced quite a few flag kicks, made the most with one. Daniel Colaco's high kick was headed in by Gavin Araujo.

Earlier in the 10th minute itself ITI shot into lead when Rawath was fouled by Colaco close to the Vasco box and earned a direct kick. Rawath himself sent a curling shot past the wall. Shortly thereafter a fighting Vasco equalised through Ravi Babu who overlapped from left flank to unleash a stiff left footer.

Minutes before half time, Kenneth and Karunakar Raju moved and the former's cross was neatly volleyed in by Jimmy's goal.

Thursday: quarterfinal league: Mahindra United v India Juniors XI, 5 p.m.; ITI v Mohun Bagan 7 p.m.

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