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Mohammedan Sporting Club rode second half goals from Josimar da Silva Martins and Penn Ikechukwu Orji to beat United Sikkim FC 2-1 in their 35th Federation Cup Group D game at the MDSC Stadium in Manjeri on Tuesday evening.
Mohammedan Sporting’s talismanic striker Josimar was involved in both the goals as he scored one and created the other for Penn Orji. United Sikkim pulled one back in the 85th minute courtesy Nigerian striker Adaleja’s side-volley.
In the first half, Mohammedan expectedly had more goalmouth action than their counterparts. If I-League joint top-scorer Josimar da Silva warmed United Sikkim goalkeeper Dibyendu Sarkar’s gloves in the 9th minute, Nabi’s stinging header from close was palmed away by the USFC goalkeeper in the 35th minute. United Sikkim FC’s best chance in the first half came when their Nigerian striker Adelaja hit the crossbar before Mohammedan Sporting custodian Luis Barreto made a world-class save to deny United Sikkim midfielder Sukhwinder Singh.
A barren first half saw an end-to-end second session where both the teams went all guns blazing from just before the hour mark. Mohammedan Sporting took the lead in the 63rd minute when Josimar stabbed from close range after substitute Ashim Biswas had set him up. In the very next minute, Nim Tshering Lepcha forced an athletic save from Luis Xavier Barreto who dived to his right to keep the United Sikkim midfielders shot at bay.
Just when United Sikkim FC looked to up the ante after falling behind, Josimar turned provider at the other end in the 70th minute for Penn to put the match to bed.
