Mahindra pips New Radiant Maldives by 1-0, Yakubu shines

Margao, Mar 20 (UNI) A last gasp strike by Ghanian Yakubu Yusif enabled Mahindra United (India) to score a solitary goal win over New Radiant SC Maldives in their second group 'E' match of AFC Cup 2007 being played here at Nehru stadium Fatorda today.

The all important goal for Mahindra came in the 4th minute of the injury time of the second half through Yakubu, who made amends for his earlier lapse. When Mbaka Dady took a shot which hit one of the Maldives defender and rebounded towards Yakubu, who was lurking inside the goal, pounced upon the opportunity and banged into the net from close range to gain full points for his side.

Mahindra with this win brighten their chances for the quarter final winning both their outings so far. In the first match they defeated Armed Forced Singapore in the away match. They now increased their points tally to 6.

For Maldives, this is their second defeat in a row and have not yet open the account .

Mahindra, who made an aggressive start had a complete sway over the proceeding. They attacked fluently but faltered at a crucial juncture.

Such was the dominance of the jeepmen that they could have up by at least two goals had they been quick and perfect in grasping the advantages before them especially in the first half.

Mahindra came with a first good move as early as in the 10th minute with Sushanat Mathew from the right flank giving a cross pass to Mensah, whose header missed the mark by a whisker.

Then in the 21st minute, Mbaka Dady, after collecting a pass from Yakubu Yusif unleashed a shot which missed the mark narrowly.

Mahindra were further frustrated in the 38th minute when Yakubu's full-blooded long ranger shot too sailed over the bar.

Not a single penetrative move from Maldvies was witnessed in the first half and scored board remained blanked at the end of the first session.

After a barren first half, Mahindra, who had better share of exchanges continued to dominate the proceeding in the second half and could have shot in the lead in the 50th minute but Yakubu missed a sitter from close range as he did not have a clear look at the goal took a hasty shot which went wide. It was a good pass from Mensah.

Then in the 65th minute, Maldives goalkeeper Sadun Devinda brought off a fine save fisting over the bar a good attempted try by Mahindra's K Ajayan.

In the 80th minute, Yakubu's header sailed over the bar off a pass from Surkumar Singh.

UNI