Mahindra United crowned champions in grudge final

It was a tournament that started with a whimper but ended with a bang. Big teams gave it a miss, and those...

It was a tournament that started with a whimper but ended with a bang. Big teams gave it a miss, and those in the fray mostly played listless football, but it was all forgotten as the 121st Durand Cup climaxed in a heart-stopping, high-scoring finale on Sunday with Mahindra United coming from behind to usurp defending champions Churchill Brothers 3-2 and lift the oldest trophy in Indian football.

It was sweet revenge for the Mumbai team who had lost to the Goans 1-0 in the final last year. The match went into extra-time after both teams were 2-2 at the end of the regulation time. Two minutes after he replaced Izumi Arata, K Thoi Singh netted in a cross from K Ajayan in the 99th minute to put Mahindra ahead.

Churchill upped the ante, but failed to breach the rivals8217; citadel and when their star striker Odafa Onyeka8217;s attempt was brilliantly warded off by Subhashish Roy 30 seconds off the hooter, it was all over for the Goans .

Mahindra skipper Ajayan couldn8217;t hold back tears, having guided his team to their first major silverware in two years. It was also their first Durand Cup title since 2001 and third overall. And the man who played a major role in it was striker Chidi Edeh. In the 11th minute, he drove it past the far post, in the 27th he headed it over the upright and in the 52nd, he overran after clearing the defence.

But it wasn8217;t all near misses for him and there were a couple of hits as well. In 20th minute, he drew parity and in the 32nd minute put Mahindra ahead, albeit controversially. Referee A Arjunan had awarded the Mumbai team a free kick and Chidi put the ball in off the strike from Douhou Pierre for his fifth goal of the tournament.

Even in victory, however, Mahindra kept to their habit of not scoring until pushed. Churchill coach Emeka Ezugo, realising the opponents8217; plans for Odafa, named Robert Lalthlamuana in the starting XI and the striker took just 12 minutes to score from Kalu8217;s cross. After Chidi left Churchill one-goal short in the 32nd minute, the Mumbai team went on the defensive. With the match looking like going Mahindra8217;s way, Churchill struck back through Savio Monteiro, but that only delayed the inevitable.