Najeeb brace gives Mahindra victory

Striker Mohammed Najeeb scored a brace of goals to enable Mahindra United down Salgaocar 2-1 in a fifth National Football League match at the Nehru stadium, in Fatorda, Goa, on Tuesday.

After a barren first half, Najeeb found the mark in the 49th and 63rd minutes before Salgaocar fought back in the last quarter of the match to reduce the margin through Bruno Coutinho in the 85th minute.

The victory was a perfect birthday gift to Mahindra coach Harish Rao. It also helped the Bombay side them to remain safe from the relegation zone.

Mahindras made first move in the 10th minute when Syed Hussain cross passed from the right to Najeeb, whose header was collected by keeper Juje Siddi.

Salgaocar slowly took control of the proceedings and probed into the rival half with a series of raids but lost possession once they entered the danger zone as the Mahindra defence held them at bay.

The Goans came close to scoring in the 39th minute but a shot from Climax Lawrence was palmed by custodian S Rajan off a pass from Roque Berreto.

Mahindras, who played a lethargic game in the first half, brought in Abbas Ali Rizvi in place of Davoud Hussaini and played with more purpose and urgency to shoot into the lead in the 49th minute.

Defender Anthony Pereira put a long pass to Najeeb on the left which defender Franky Barreto failed to intercept. Najeeb sprinted down the line and from an acute angle took a shot.