Date:08/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/08/stories/2008030859762500.htm

Sport - Football

Mahindra United keeps crown

Principal Correspondent

— Photo: SUSHANTA PATRONOBISH

HAPPY MOMENT: Mahindra United, which defeated Santos FC of South Africa, retained the IFS Shield.

BARASAT (W. BENGAL): Mahindra United brought together a fine all-round performance to retain the IFA Shield title.

The final of the 113th edition, played under lights at the Vidyasagar Stadium on Friday, saw the Mumbai side downing the fancied Santos FC of South Africa 3-1.

The title clash was more about the tactical maturity showed by Mahindra, which completely outplayed its youthful opponent from Cape Town.

Striker Yusif Yakubu led the charge for Mahindra scoring two goals while substitute Sushil Kumar Singh accounted for one. Gregory Roelf reduced the margin for Santos.

Mahindra wrested the initiative early and made full use of it netting the lead in the ninth minute.

The Ghana-Ivory Coast attack combination of Yakubu and Douhou Piere proved auspicious for the Mumbai side, which doubled its lead in the 15th minute.

Yakubu in form

Yakubu regained his prolific scoring ability much to the delight of Mahindra. Pierre did the groundwork scripting both the goals.

The first was realised when he intercepted a clearance by the Santos custodian Eduan Naude, played a one-two-one with Yakubu, and set the latter up with a clear chance on the Santos goal mouth.

Yakubu chipped over Naude to find the net. He repeated the precise finishing six minutes later making the most of a Pierre through-pass.

Mahindra coach Derrick Perreira proved his acumen organising the proper defensive set-up that succeeded in cutting off the speed of its youthful opponent.

Learning from the 0-2 loss against Santos in the group league stage, Mahindra employed tall Harpreet Singh as an extra man ahead of the regular defence line-up to act as a spoiler.

Unlike the mistake made by Mohun Bagan, which ignored its defence losing the semifinal against Santos 2-4, Mahindra was particular about checking the visitor’s game maker Gregory Roelf.

The ploy effectively stranded the opposition attackers, allowing the Mumbai side enough space to design its own attacks.

Second session began differently with Santos pulling off an early goal. Roelf showed his merit in the 47th minute when he nodded home a free kick from Leon Godloza to reduce the margin for Santos (2-1).

Mahindra looked satisfied with the two-goal lead and seemed to forsake its attacking intent. Elton Swartz came close to scoring the equaliser after Santos pulled one back but Roy Chowdhury saved the situation for the holder.

Mahindra caught up with the opponent later and after Yakubu had shaken the side-netting (in the 77th minute) of the Santos goal, substitute Sushil Kumar Singh effectively took the match away making it 3-1 in the 87th minute.