On Thursday, Mahindra United lost to Air India 1-2 in the National Football League (NFL) at the Cooperage, their fourth consecutive loss to the city rivals.
MUMBAI: How do you solve a problem like ‘Air India’? This could the theme song for Mahindra United at the moment.
On Thursday, Mahindra United lost to Air India 1-2 in the National Football League (NFL) at the Cooperage, their fourth consecutive loss to the city rivals. Bashiru Muhammed Abass and Paresh Shivalkar were the goal-scorers for Air India, while Jose Ramirez Barreto pulled one back for Mahindra in injury time.
With the loss, tension is writ large on Mahindra faces, who went into the tournament as title favourites. A shrug is all one gets from the coach, Derrick Pereira, when one asks the inevitable question, ‘Will they ever find an answer to Air India?’ He’s a little more forthcoming when one asks him about their dodgy form at their home ground. In the four matches they’ve played at the Cooperage, Mahindra have won only one (2-0 against Mohammedan Sporting).
“We have to play better here,” said Pereira. “We know the ground conditions do not suit our style of play but that is no excuse for not winning.” To be fair, the think tank is being brave and creative.
On Thursday, the coach played the puny striker K Anees, the Keralite’s first NFL match this season. Anees was lively and did create unrest in the Air India defence in the first 10-15 minutes. But he was overpowered by the AI defence from then on.
Air India played like they always do against Mahindra. One can see the extra energy; the tackles get fiercer, the desire to win increases. “It seems that we now have a psychological grip on Mahindra,” said Air India coach Bimal Ghosh.
They almost had the lead in the 33rd minute. Soccor Velho’s cross found Paresh Shivalkar open in front of goal. What followed was almost a Simao Sambrosa (Benfica)-like moment against Barcelona on Wednesday night.
Just before halftime, Bashiru headed in AI first goal from a Velho cross. The second goal also involved Bashiru. On the hour mark, he fought his way through the Mahindra defence and crossed to Shivalkar who had no problem finding the back of the net. Barreto pulled one back in injury time, through a spanking strike.
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