Gangtok/Margao: Newly-promoted United Sikkim FC stunned Salgaocar SC of Goa, handing them a 3-2 shock defeat in the opener of I-League on Saturday.
United Sikkim in their debut match at the premier football league came from behind to beat 2010-12 champions Salgaocar SC 3-2 in front of cheering home crowd at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok.
Gangtok, perched at 5,000 feet, is the newest venue of the I-League.
Salgaocar’s Angel Guirado and Milagres Gonsalves struck home in the 50th and 56th minute, but United Sikkim retaliated immediately with Nurudeen Salau (52nd), Lineker Machado (64th) and winner came from Sandesh Jhingan in the 75th minute.
In Kolkata Pailan Arrows defeated Mumbai FC 3-2.
While Holicharan Narzari struck twice for Pailan and Oignam Milan Singh scored from a penalty, ND Opara and James Singh strike one each for Mumbai in their first away game.
In Gangtok United Sikkim fought back from one goal down twice to upset established Salgaocar 3-2 in a thrilling match.
After a dull first 45 minutes, the game exploded in the second half when Angel Guirado gave the Goan club the lead in the 50th minute. A horrific misunderstanding between United Sikkim goalkeeper Yoon Tae and his defender allowed Aldecuer to head in a rebound.
The Snow Lions, happy until then in defending deep, responded swiftly and restored parity two minutes later.
Their striker Buddiram Tudu rode in unchallenged from midfield but his shot was parried by Salgaocar goalkeeper Karanjit Singh. Nurudeen Salau arrived in time to poke home the loose ball and equalise for Sikkim.
Even before the 12,000 odd home supporters could finish celebrating the first I-League goal of United Sikkim, Salgaocar took the lead for the second time in 56th minute.
A quickly taken free kick beat an unprepared United Sikkim defence and goalkeeper, but hit the post.
Milagres Gonsalves was at the correct place to capitalise on the rebound and make the score 2-1 in favour of Salgaocar.
Sikkim refused to concede defeat and left winger Lineker Machado equalised with a fine strike in the 64th minute. Boosted by a boisterous home crowd, Sikkim then took the lead in the 75th minute when defender Sandesh Jhingan rose highest to head an Ashish Chettri free kick.
United Sikkim withstood fierce pressure from Salgaocar for the remaining period to bag three full points in their I-League debut match.
Meanwhile, defending champions Dempo lived up to their billing as they edged past Churchill Brothers 2-1 in Fatorda.
Ryuji Sueoka put Dempo in the lead in the second minute when he slammed the ball into the net after rival keeper Sandip Nandy failed to grab the ball which was directed from the right by Clifford Miranda.
Roberto Silva restored parity in the 47th minute for Churchill before Sueoka scored the winning goal in the 75th minute.
Both teams started on an attacking note with Churchill Brothers having the ball possession for the better part of the first half as they probed more often but failed to find the mark.
Dempo took an early lead in the second minute when rival keeper Sandip Nandy failed to grab the ball off a long lob and Sueoka pounced on the loose ball.
Churchill restored parity soon after the break when Robeto Silva cashed in on a rebound after keeper Chowdhury blocked Tomba Singh’s shot. (Agencies)