The Ghanaian striker was inspirational for the home side scoring twice in the team’s 3-0 drubbing of the Goan outfit.
Beat Sporting 3-0 in I-League clashMUMBAI: Yusif Yakubu capped a fine spell of Mahindra pressure to help the Mumbai outfit surge past a fighting Sporting Club de Goa in a captivating I-League encounter at the Cooperage on Saturday.
The Ghanaian striker was inspirational for the home side scoring twice in the team’s 3-0 drubbing of the Goan outfit.
Mahindra went into lead 30 minutes into the first half when Yakubu’s header slipped through the near post off a free kick from skipper Steven Dias. Playing an attacking game, the local giants soared like a turgid river swelling during high tide.
Yakubu’s deft passes and faint glances were incredible as he set up several one-to-one moves with fellow strikers Andrews Mensh Pomeyie and Douhou SD Pierre.
Yakubu’s second came after recess when he slammed one off a low pass from Pomeyie within the box. Pomeyie produced the third for the Mahindras after he quickly smacked the ball after it ricocheted off the woodwork from a Steven Dias free kick.
“We were determined to win and thus fielded an attacking side. Yakubu was terrific and the players produced their best,” said Mahindra coach Derrick Pereira. Indeed, the goal margin could have been wider had the home side converted all their chances.
Sporting too put up some fight through Obagbemiro Elijah OS, who occasionally cut inside his man and made solo runs into the Mahindra defence. His screaming rightfooter rattled the woodwork in the second half in what could be the side’s major strike in the game.
“We failed to score from the free kicks. But I am happy we are above the relegation zone. We will be a much better side next season,” said Sporting coach Clifford Chukwuma.
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