Net prophet — Raghuveer holds Mahindras

Central, who played second fiddle as expected, also had a couple of good tries following their stray raids. But Mahindra goalkeeper Sunder Rajan, who was tested seriously twice in the game following tries by Asif Jamal and substitute Arshad Ansari, proved equal to the task when all seemed lost for his side.

Mahindras began in whirlwind fashion. They pressurised the rival from the outset but found goalkeeper Khanolkar a hard nut to crack especially during the first-half. The Central goalkeeper saved good tries by S Venkatesh, Abbas Ali Rizvi and Mohammed Najeeb during this session.

Twice goalkeeper Khanolkar was beaten following goalmouth melees, but Central defender Douzy Godinho came to his side’s rescue with two goalline saves following attempts by Manjit Singh and a header by Najeeb.

Central’s lone first-half try through Asif Jamal was blocked by Mahindra goalkeeper Rajan.

Central improved in the second-half and ventured out more frequently in attack. But their domination which lasted almost 20 minutes saw them test goalkeeper Rajan twice. First, an Arif Ansari piledriver from the top of the box was punched over by Rajan.

The other Central chance, which came following a glorious move down the left flank between Arshad Ansari and Asif Jamal, saw the former’s carpet drive after breaking free being kept out by goalkeeper Rajan with a full-length dive to the left.

Mahindras’ best efforts in the second-half came through Manjit Singh twice and once by Abbas Ali Rizvi. Manjit headed one effort narrowly wide following a Naushad Moosa corner and his other try was saved in grand fashion by goalkeeper Khanolkar who punched the ball over. Rizvi was also foiled by Khanolkar from handshaking distance before he was replaced by Nitin Pradhan.

Mahindras also brought in Khalid Siddique for S Venkatesh and Vijay Raman for Najeeb to boost their attack, but the changes proved of no avail as the Central defence, in which Venkat Rao also stood out, contained the rival forays with confidence to deny the jeepmen a victory.