SHILLONG: Mohammedan Sporting secured a valuable three points by coming back from a goal down to defeat Rangdajied United FC in an I-League match in Kolkata on Sunday.
In what was the Blues’ penultimate game of the season, the Shillong outfit took the lead in the 12th minute through Ranti Martins before the hosts fought back through Taro Hasegawa and Luciano Sabrosa.
Martins has been the picture of consistency ever since joining Rangdajied, scoring eight goals in his seven appearances for the club.
However, the talismanic Nigerian has come to be relied on a little too much by RUFC; he has been the lone scorer for the team in the last four fixtures.
With 24 points and just one more match remaining, the Shillong derby on April 21 has taken on even greater significance for the now 10th-placed Rangdajied, who have played one more game than United SC (23 points) and Mohammedan (21 points).
Despite losing to Mumbai FC 4-2 on Sunday, even Churchill Brothers (19 points from 21 outings) still have a chance to overtake the Blues, who have lost three of their last four fixtures, this most recent defeat being their second in a row.
Rangdajied made a bright start and opened the scoring after a fine team move.
T Lalnunpuia’s header from a David Ngaihte cross was saved by Luis Barreto but Ranti pounced on the rebound and scored his 12th goal of the season (including four for United SC).
Japanese Hasegawa was introduced by Mohammedan coach Sanjoy Sen and the match became an end-to-end contest with both sides creating openings.
The hosts were level after a brilliant individual effort from Hasegawa as the substitute went past a couple of Rangdajied defenders before scoring past Rehenesh TP with a powerful shot.
Mohammedan deserved their equaliser and ended the half strongly but some good last-ditch defending from RUFC kept the score at 1-1.
The North East club were struggling to cope with the hot and humid conditions towards the end of the first half and that did not change in the second half.
Mohammedan’s dominance finally paid dividends as Maithani was brought down inside the box by Lamine Tamba and the referee pointed to the spot.
Brazilian centre-back Luciano stepped up and coolly converted the penalty.
At the other end Martins lacked support but the visitors had a couple of chances to equalise in stoppage time.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh first failed to hit the target and minutes later Sandesh Gadkari headed narrowly wide from a Lyngdoh corner.
Mohammedan thus recorded their first win in six I-League fixtures and have now done the double over Rangdajied, having beaten them 3-0 in Shillong last year.
The second Shillong derby now awaits and Rangdajied have a week’s time to recuperate and go all out against city rivals Lajong.
