The relegation battle will be keenly fought as four teams went into round 24 to maintain their top-flight status. Mahindra United who play some of the relegation threatened sides will play a key role in survival battle. Mahindra recently announced their decision to pull out of professional football so really there isn’t much motivation for the players except to keep their professionalism intact. Up at the top, Dempo SC are nearly there after a win against an organised Air India side.
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Sporting club de Goa vs. Mahindra United: Sporting went behind by a goal as Sushil Singh struck from the spot kick awarded to Mahindra. But Nathaniel Amos pulled one back in the 37th minute. Mahindra still went in the lead at half-time as Rafi put the visitors ahead with a neat finish running behind the defence. The Flaming Oranje bounced back in the second-half as Elijah Junior’s diving header found the net. Junior was at it again as his low driven free kick was parried away by the Mahindra keeper before Adil Khan pounced on the pieces to score the crucial winner.
Sporting Club de Goa 3: N. Amos 37 Junior 75 A. Khan 81
Mahindra United 2: S. Singh (p) 23 M. Rafi 37
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Pune FC vs. JCT: A goal on each side of the break sealed the game for Pune. Earlier Edmar put the home side in th e lead with a headed goal. While the other foreign recruit Izumi Arata added a second moment after the restart before Edmar scored his second with a stunning strike.
Pune FC 2: E. Figiuera 17, 64 I. Arata 46
JCT 0
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Viva Kerala vs. Shillong Lajong FC: Two teams with a common goal that is survival in the I-League faced each other with Viva playing at home. Viva went ahead with a goal from Rahul from a Sirajudeen cross. They doubled their advantage with a goal from Sabeeth minute into the second-half. Lajong lessened that advantage with a goal from James Giblee and with enough time on their hands but they mounted the pressure on ViVa. Eventually Viva managed to hold on and take the decisive win.
Viva Kerala 2: Rahul. P 35 C. S. Sabeeth 53
Shillong Lajong FC 1: J. Giblee 55
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East Bengal vs. Chirag United: Two goals from Beingaichho Beiokhokhei helped East Bengal reserve the bragging rights for the red and gold in the Kolkata derby against Chirag United. Beiokhokhei struck on either side of the break before Josimar reduced the deficit. But they managed to hold onto the lead.
East Bengal 2: B. Beiokhokhei 40, 65
Chirag United 1: J. Martins 67
Dempo SC vs. Air India: After a lacklustre first-half Dempo turned the screw in the second-half through Joaquim Abranches who has impressed since starting more regularly after the departure of Sunil Chhetri. Abranches scored one and won a penalty for the other which was taken by Ranti Martins. Air India looked organised at the back but provided little in attack and eventually paid for it.
Dempo SC 2: J. Abranches 62 R. Martins 67
Air India 0
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Salgaocar vs. Mumbai FC: Another key clash that would directly have an impact on the relegation competition. Ekene Ikenwa headed the only goal of the game through Barbosa’s precise cross early in the game. The Goans took the vital three points and look the form side going into the final two games.
Salgaocar 1: E. Ikenwa 15
Mumbai FC 0
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Churchill Brothers vs. Mohun Bagan: Churchill had the chance to delay Dempo’s title party. The scores opened with a shot deflected off N S Manju and thereafter Churchill added another two to go 3-0 up at half-time. Early in the second-half Odafa scored another to kill the game. With that win Dempo will have wait until next game week to seal the I-League crown.
Churchill Brothers 4: NS. Manju (og) 20 F. Chimaokwu 27 O. Kalu 31 Odafa 52
Mohun Bagan 0