Bangalore: Langsning FC came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Mumbai Tigers in Round II of the final phase of the 2nd Division League here at the Football Stadium in Bangalore on Wednesday (April 24, 2013).
A frenetic 10-miute spell in the second half turned the game on its head as Langnisng – trailing by a goal till then – rode Bidemi’s 68th minute strike, an own goal and a Marlangki Suting screamer to secure crucial three points. The Shillong side are on 12 points from 9 outings. Mumbai FC remain on 9 points from as many matches.
Durga Boro scored for Mumbai Tigers in the 31st minute.
It was Langsning who looked the more enterprising of the two sides in the opening exchanges. Joel Sunday Ayeni’s repeated forays inside the 18-yard box gave the Mumbai Tigers’ backline a tough time.
In the 21st minute, Daniel Bidemi had a golden opportunity to score. Sunday sent Bidemi in the clear, but the latter paid the price for his indecisiveness.
Mumbai Tigers took time to get going. But once they did, it exposed their counterpart’s porous rearguard. Paresh Shivalkar sent a teasing cross inside the danger area where Boro was unmarked. Latching on to the opportunity, the No.10 stabbed home from close.
But things changed after change of ends. Langsning looked more of their initial self with more thrust. They got their reward for the good display in quick succession. Bidemi volleyed in with ease as he was left unmarked.
Suting’s piledriver from just outside the box was class. Mumbai Tigers’ Nawab’s own goal summed up the lascklustre second half for Mumbai Tigers.
Rangdajied ride Babatunde’s hattrick to beat Southern Samity
Rangdajied United FC kept the pressure on Bhawanipore FC for a place in the I-League as they recorded a 3-1 win over 10-man Southern Samity in Round II of the final phase of 2nd Division League here at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Wednesday (April 24, 2013).
Babatunde Ayomide’s hattrick ensured that the Shillong side stayed very much in the hunt for a top-tier berth.
For Southern Samity Kaushik Biswas found the back of the net in the 25th minute. Shyam Mondal was given marching orders in the 89th minute for showing dissent after a poor tackle.
Courtesy the win, Rangdajied have now moved to the second spot with 16 points, having played a game more than Bhawanipore. Southern Samity stay rock bottom with only 5 in their kitty from 9 matches.
It was Babatunde who opened the scoring in the 16th minute, heading in a delightful cross from the left by Restom Khriam.
Southern returned the favour minutes later, Kaushik Biswas rifling home from just inside the box. But it was Babatunde’s day. The Nigerian striker’s stooping header in the 40th minute made it 2-1. Post the breather, Babatunde increased the margin from the spot in the 86th minute.
Mohammedan Sporting look to seal qualification against Bhawanipore FC
Mohammedan Sporting Coach Sanjoy Sen desperately wants to exorcise the ghosts of last season by sealing the issue in the penultimate match itself when they meet local rivals Bhawanipore FC in the final round tie of the 2nd Division League here at the Football Stadium in Bangalore on Thursday. (April 25, 2013).
Mohammedan Sporting, then coached by Aloke Mukherjee, could not get the better of United Sikkim last year in a game where the former needed to win, while a draw was enough for the latter to qualify for the I-League. The match ended 1-1.
This time round, Mohammedan Sporting – 17 points from 8 matches -- need just one point from any of their last two engagements to qualify for the I-League 2013-14 season. But Coach Sen is wary of the heartbreaking encore.
“Last year, we all know what happened. Mohammedan Sporting failed to beat United Sikkim right at the end. The match ended 1-1 and the Sikkim qualified as they needed a point. So in football nothing can be guaranteed. We don’t want to leave anything till the end. The lesson is learnt,” Sen said.
Sen added that their opponents are a more balanced outfit and have the experienced duo of Jose Ramires Barreto and Hudson Lima Silva to boost their arsenal.
“They are a more balanced side than us. Their midfield is very good. They will also go for the kill for obvious reasons. It will be a good contest. The likes of Barreto and Lima add to the threat. Everyone knows what they are capable of.
“But man marking is not my style. I prefer zonal marking. So there is no special plan as such to stop the duo. But of course we will pay them due respect and track their moves,” Sen informed.
Bhawanipore are just behind the leaders Mohammedan Sporting, having 13 points from 8 matches.
The sides could not be separated in the first round of the final phase.