Date:19/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/19/stories/2006121902891900.htm

Sport - Football

Pradeep saves Mahindra the blushes

Principal Correspondent

KOLKATA: National champion Mahindra United struggled against Chirag United before managing a 79th minute goal to extend its stay in the Peerless Federation Cup football, which got underway here on Monday. Defender N.P. Pradeep was the saviour, nodding home a corner taken by Steven Dias.

Mahindra appeared to be taking things easy in the beginning. With Chirag United making its defensive intentions clear, the Mahindra forwards found it difficult to penetrate the opposition defence.

Unable to get close to the goal, the visitor tried the longer route with K. Ajayan, Surkumar Singh and N.P. Pradeep taking turns with long-rangers. Ajayan saw his shot come off the framework, while the remaining two saw their attempts blocked by Chirag custodian Sibram Dey. Mahindra probed the opposition defence more effectively in the second session.

The match looked like stretching into extra-time when Pradeep saved his side the blushes.