Rajan sparkles for Mahindras

New Delhi, Oct 28: Two superb saves by substitute goalkeeper S Rajan helped Mahindra and Mahindra edge out Air-India 3-1 in penalty shoot...

New Delhi, Oct 28: Two superb saves by substitute goalkeeper S Rajan helped Mahindra and Mahindra edge out Air-India 3-1 in penalty shootout to move into the final of the Kelvinator Durand Cup football tournament here today.

The all Mumbai semifinal produced one of the dullest match of the tournament so far in which teams failed to score in the 120 minutes, leading to penalty shootout.

This was the third match between the two teams this season and Air-India had won the earlier two fixtures 2-1 and 1-0.

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This was Mahindras’ second entry into the final of the world’s second oldest tournament. Mahindra coach SS Hakim made a shrewd move by replacing goalkeeper Mark Mascarenhas and brought in S Rajan for the penalty shootout. Air-India’s KV Reaz failed to convert his spot kick as his feeble shot was wide off the target. Mahindra’s Sushanta also could not make use of the spot kick as he also shot wide.

Taposh Ghosh, however, was bang on the target for Air-India (1-0) and Shamshi Raza drew parity forMahindras (1-1).

Substitute Nitin Shetty ‘s shot was saved by Rajan while Mohammed Shakil scored for Mahindras to give the jeepmen 2-1 lead.

Rajan again stood between Air-India and the goal when he brought off a fine save by blocking Debdas Sen’s shot.

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Ashok Sahi converted his kick to give Mahindras the 3-1 win over their arch rivals.

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