MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 7: Calcutta's East Bengal dug their own grave when they went down by a solitary goal to Mumbai's Mahindras in a thrilling encounter of the Coca-Cola National Football league at the Cooperage, on Monday.East Bengal were in a total command from the outset but a stray Mahindra raid midway through the first-half, spelt doom for them. Mahindras' hardworking Aqeel Ansari chipped the ball to the top of the rival box and East Bengal stopper Ranjan Dey headed the ball backwards into his own goal past goalkeeper Prasanta Dora who had unnecessarely left his charge.The East Bengal game fell apart after the defensive lapse and Mahindras dictated terms right through. However, the Mumbai side were unable to consolidate their position and wasted several golden chances that came their way.The earlier meeting between the two at Calcutta had ended in a barren draw. The triumph took Mahindras to the third spot with 21 points from 13 games, while East Bengal continued to linger in the cellar. Mahindras now move to Ludhiana where they will meet former champions Jagatjit and Cotton and Textile Mills (JCT) on February 11, while East Bengal take on Dempo at Goa.Mahindra coach Harish Rao said he was happy with the triumph but was disappointed at the same time because of the injury sustained to Jordanian Samer Jamil during a clash with his own goalkeeper Virender Singh, who otherwise had a good day.East Bengal coach Subhash Bhowmick was a dejected man and stated that his side, as usual, plays well in the initial stages but could not convert the chances that come their way. He also said that most of his regular players were sidelined due to injuries.Mahindra goalkeeper Virender Singh brought off two fine saves before Mahindras could find their bearings. Virender saved attempts from Renedy Singh and Dipankar Biswas from close quarters.Mahindras had two tries during the first-half. First goalkeeper Prasanta Dora went on his knees and collected the ball following a fierce 35-yard free-kick by Jordanian Bassam Khatib and next, Manjit Singh's shot from close struck the near East Bengal post and rebounded into play.In the second-half, Khatib missed a sitter for Mahindras in the 48th minute and Samshi Raza failed to get the better of East Bengal goalkeeper Dora from handshaking distance.In the 65th minute, East Bengal's Willie Brown shot straight into 'keeper Virender Singh hands off a fine through pass by Carlton Chapman.Khatib received a standing ovation from the crowd after he was replaced by Nitin Pradhan, 15 minutes from the close. Khatib created a fine chance for Rizvi with a cross from the goalline on the right. But the latter hit over the crosspiece after 'keeper Dora was beaten.East Bengal gave it their all in the last five minutes of the game. A Chapman through beat the offside trap and substitute Brazilian striker Oseias Luiz Pereira got possession of the ball. But goalkeeper Virender Singh snatched the ball from Pereira's feet with a daring dive.Churchill tame TollygungeMARGAO: Two second half goals powered local champions Churchill Brothers to score a two-nil victory over Calcutta's Tollygunge Agragami here on Monday to keep their title aspirations alive in the NFL.After Churchill were denied a goal in the first session, medio Rocky Baretto drew first blood in the 60th minute followed by striker Andriy Malchevsky in the 78th minute.Churchill now have 27 points from 13 matches and were at second position, one point behind leaders Mohun Bagan. Tollygunge suffered their fifth defeat and remained on seventh place with 16 points.
