Mahindra routs Sporting 3-1

Margao, Apr 13 (UNI) Two splendid goals by Pomeyie Mensah helped defending champions Mahindra United Mumbai score a facile 3-1 win over Sporting Club de Goa in their 13th round ONGC National Football League championship match today.

Mahindra United avenged their first leg defeat in the process.

Pomeyie Mensah (13th and 86th minutes), and Stevan Dias (37th minute) scored for Mahindra, while Dudu Omagbemi reduced the margin in the 68th minute for Sporting Club de Goa.

Mahindra maintained its position at the top of the table with 26 points from 13 outings, and are three points ahead of arch rivals Dempo Sports Club. Sporting Club de Goa remained on the same 14 points from as many matches.

The jeepmen were outstanding with Pomeyie Mensah and Stevan Dias combining well in front and toying with the rivals right from the word go. They shot into the lead in the 17th minute through Pomeyie Mensah who headed in a free kick floated pass from Stevan Dias.

Mahindra consolidated their lead in the 37th minute through Stevan Dias whose perfect drive found the net off a good pass from Pomeyie Mensah. At half time, they were leading 2-0.

Sporting, came with only one good move in the 13th minute of the first half. Dudu Omagbemi, after collecting a pass from Jeremiah Ernest, skirted through but Mahindra's N Pradeep cleared the ball in time.

Sporting played with renewed vigour and made some desperate attempts to reduce to margin. They almost reduced the margin in the 56th minute but Mahindra goalkeeper Sandeep Nandy brought off a fine save by diving to his right to gather a header by Jeremiah off a pass from Nicholas Rodrigues.

The jeepmen had a chance to increase their lead in the 65th minute but substitute Mohammed Rafi's attempted shot sailed over the bar.

Sporting managed to reduce the margin in the 68th minute through Dudu Omagbemi off a good pass from Nicholas Rodrigues to make it 2-1.

Mahindra were reduced to ten men in the 79th minute after referee P K Bose flashed a red card to medio S Venkatesh when he kicked Sporting's Wilton Gomes.

Mahindra increased their lead in the 86th minute through Pomeyie Mensah (his brace) off a pass from substitute Mohammed Rafi to make 3-1.

The jeepmen's defender Mahesh Gawali was later adjudged the man of the match.

UNI