MFL Elite Division Play-offs     Mahindra United v ONGC Two quickfire goals Finding acres of space outside the penalty area as the United defenders kept backing off, forward Mangut Mbwas kick-started the ONGC uprising with an absolute thunderous effort. His shot cannoned into the top corner from thirty yards out as the keeper barely had time to raise a glove. Goal! 3-1. ONGC were back in it. Barely had the effects of the first goal sunk in when United got a taste of their own medicine when they conceded a second within a minute. Slack marking by the lacklustre United defence in the final third ensured that the ball rolled into the path of ONGC forward Jatin Bisht, left unattended at the edge of the penalty area. Despite having time and space at his disposal, Jatin displayed flawless technique with a first-time shot into the top corner at the far post, leaving the keeper to do exactly what he had a done a minute earlier – pick up the ball from the net. Goal! 3-2. Game on! Tactical changes What ensued in the second half was, quite frankly, an anti-climax of sorts as a stubborn Mahindra defence provided little or no room for the ONGC attacks to develop. It was quite clear that the onus was on defence as United tactically switched to a more defensive mode as the Oilers were restricted to long range efforts and eventually ran out of ideas to score. Knowing that one goal was all they required to be crowned champions, ONGC introduced fresh legs and threw more men forward. In what was possibly their last chance of the game, the Oilers won a free kick within striking range outside the box only to have the resultant effort sailing well wide of the bar. Champions Elite In the end, Mahindra United successfully retained the Elite Division Championship and collected the their second piece of silverware this season . It was the last game in-charge for outgoing coach Derek Pereira, who had decided to part ways with the club after four eventful years. As United hoisted the glittering Elite Division trophy, the final chapter of the 2008-09 Mumbai Football League season came to a close at the hallowed turf of Cooperage. Return to page 1