By Mohammedan Sporting Media
KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting Club suffered a narrow defeat in U-18 I-League against SAI Kolkata with the scoreline 2-1 favour of SAI in an Kolkata-Jamshedpur Zonal Qualifier played on Monday afternoon.
SAI Kolkata took the early lead through Debadipta Roy Sarkar, only when Sayan Sarkar restored the parity for Mohammedan but Supratip found the target in dying moments of the game that settled the issue for the hosts at the SAI Campus in Saltlake, Kolkata.
SAI Kolkata made a bright start of the game with enjoying more of possession during inital minutes. In the 7th minute Debadipta Roy Sarkar ensured scoreboard reflects SAI dominance with a right-footer that put his team ahead.
Having jolted early in the game the visitors pressed hard to score the leveller with a wave of blocked attacks and cleared corners. Asif Hussain, who started from bench, was instrumental for Mohammedan in most of the attacks, but timely interception and strong tackles from the SAI defenders kept their solitary goal lead intact at interval.
Changing over, Mohammedan played purposeful football with positive intent, their build-up play finally paid off when Sayan Sarkar equalised for the visitors in the 53rd minute.
The goal saw Mohammedan attacked with even more confidence to record their first win of the league. Mohammedan almost took the lead in the 74th minute only for SAI goalkeeper, who denied Asif from close range after diving on his left.
However, it was SAI Kolkata, who had the last laugh when Supratip struck the winner in the 89th minute against the run of play that earned full points for SAI Kolkata.
Mohammedan Sporting Club will host Tata Football Academy in their next fixture on November 14 at Mohammedan Sporting Ground.
