Date:26/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/26/stories/2007112659632300.htm

Sport

Air-India holds Mahindra

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: Mahindra United split points with Air-India despite dominating their match, in the first ONGC I-League 2007-08 fixture at Cooperage on Sunday. Bashiru Abbas nodded AI ahead in the 32nd minute and Yusif Yakubu headed in a 77th minute equaliser, in the match that saw his team struggle to transform midfield superiority into goals, leading to a 1-1 draw.

Sanju Pradhan, on the lookout for space in the first half, made his presence felt for Air-India and set up the first goal with his corner kick from the right for Bashiru to score with a powerful header past custodian Sandip Nandy.

Mahindra United’s import from Ivory Coast, Douhou Pierre, was a formidable presence in the midfield. He and Ghanaian Yakubu infused life into the attack.

The Air-India defence was breached by a Pierre run down the middle up to the goalline, followed by a pullback for Yakubu to sneak into space near the defence and head home on the run.

Principal Correspondent adds from Barasat

East Bengal wins

East Bengal weathered a challenge from Viva Kerala before winning 2-0.

Brazilian Edmilson Pradal struck the first blow in the 73rd minute before Alvito D’Cunha added the insurance goal in the 80th.

Playing under lights, East Bengal failed to make much of an impression. The Kerala team, making its premier league debut, put up a cohesive show underlined by a good passing game.

The resilience showed by the visitor, which was quick to switch between attacking and defensive modes, upset the home side’s rhythm.

After a barren first half, the second session, delayed by 15 minutes owing to a floodlight malfunction, saw East Bengal in a more assertive role.

Viva Kerala succeeded in keeping its defence tidy before Edmilson broke the barrier tapping home a cross from substitute Ashim Biswas. Alvito D’Cunha put the icing on the cake with a brilliant pile-driver.

Mohun Bagan plays JCT Mills in the concluding match of the first round here on Monday.

PTI adds from Margao:

Easy win for Churchill

Durand Cup champion Churchill Brothers started its campaign on a bright note scoring an easy 3-0 win over Sporting Clube-de-Goa at the Nehru Stadium.

Churchill, which led 1-0 at half-time, scored through Odafe Onyenka Okolie (31st), Mboy Iyomi (65th) and Reisangmi Vashum (injury time).