MFL Elite Division Play-offs     Mahindra United v ONGC   Match Report by Shailesh Karkera Mahindra United’s stand-in skipper Steven Dias led from the front with an inspired performance as the reds overcame ONGC by a 3-2 margin to retain the MFL Elite Division title at the Cooperage ground in Churchgate. In a game of two contrasting halves, United raced off to an early 3-0 lead, only to have ONGC counter with two back-to-back goals to make it 3-2 late in the first forty five minutes. In what promised to be an exciting second half and a possible comeback by ONGC, United hung on to their slender lead with some dogged defending and shut out the Oilers in what proved to be a drab end to the game. Second best Despite leading the MFL Elite Division play-off standings, ONGC, needing just a point to secure the title, looked second best to Mahindra United in the opening exchanges as the game kicked off. The Oilers were fresh off their i-League 2 campaign where they had failed to secure any one of the four promotion slots in the upcoming 2009-10 i-League. On the other hand, despite a poor performance in the first phase of their national campaign, the star-studded United squad had finished on a high – beating Mohun Bagan in their penultimate ‘home’ game in Delhi. 1-2-3 Goal! As the difference between the two sides became glaringly evident on the pitch, Steven Dias ensured that United made it count where it mattered the most – on the score board. His inch perfect cross from the left wing completely dissected the Oilers defence as striker Edeh Chidi put his body on the line to nod home the opener – and subsequently crashed head-on into the charging keeper. Goal! 1-0 to Mahindra United. It was two –nil to United within a matter of minutes as goal scorer Chidi turned provider. Orchestrating a move on the left flank, Steven Dias played a measured ball to the striker inside the box, who redirected it into the path of an unmarked Mohammed Rafi charging in from the right. The midfielder - who single handedly destroyed Vasco at the same venue earlier this season - easily beat the keeper with a low drive. Goal! 2-0 to the Reds. The Oilers knew that they had a mountain to climb when United added their third, effectively killing all hopes of a surprise victory. Steven Dias, his trademark orange boots, skipped past two defenders on the left wing and finding space outside the box, took a rare shot on goal which completely beat the keeper but rebounded off the woodwork and back into play. Edeh Chidi was in the right place at the right time to beat the keeper for the second time in as many attempts - thankfully avoiding injury this time around – as United looked set to post a tennis score. Goal! 3-0 to United. ONGC slowly clawed their way back into the game after the United players seemed to have stepped off the gas pedal in what they presumed to be an unassailable lead. The Oilers took full advantage of their newly found freedom in the middle of the park and responded in the best way possible. Continued on page 2