Mahindra beat Chirag 2-1 in Federation Cup

GUWAHATI: Former Champions Mahindra United beat Chirag United 2-1 in a Group B match on the opening day of the Federation Cup football tournament on Monday.
Mahindra scored through Sushil Kumar Singh (45th) and NP Pradeep (63rd) while Edmilson Marques reduced the margin through a spot kick in the 78th minute at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Chirag United, who have come to the tournament without striker Joshimar Silva due to an injury, were reduced to 10 men just two minutes from regulation time after defender R Dhanarajan was red carded for a reckless tackle.
Mahindra could have won by a bigger margin had they converted the other scoring opportunities. Sushil Singh, who led the Indian Under-23 side that won the SAFF Championships title, wasted at least a couple of chances.
He first shot wide in the 29th minute from a handshaking distance off the Chirag goal and he failed to score at the hour mark with only opposition goalkeeper at his mercy.
Sushil's strike partner Muritala Ali, the current I-League leading scorer, also had a good game with quite a few shots at Chirag goal though he failed to find the target.
India international Steven Dias and Pradeep were relatively low key today. Dias, however, set up the first goal with his 30-yard free-kick which was headed in by Sushil.
Sushil then set up Pradeep for Mahindra's second goal. After a one-on-one with Muritala, Sushil left the ball free for Pradeep to fire home a low shot from inside the box.
Chirag wasted a golden opportunity in the 72nd minute with striker Praveen Kumar, after rounding of Mahindra goalkeeper Subashish Roy Chowdhury, shot wide in haste.
Edmilson got a penalty kick after he was brought down by Justine Stephen inside the Mahindra box and the Brazilian himself stepped up to convert the spot kick in the 78th minute.
Two minutes later, Mahindra goalkeeper Subashish pulled off a fine save off Edmilson to keep his side's 2-1 lead intact.
Mahindra play Mohammedan Sporting in their second group match on Wednesday.