An epic second half comeback by Mahindra United saw them return to the top of the heap following a 3-1 win over league-leaders Dempo SC in Round 18 of the 2009-10 i-League at the Cooperage. In what proved to be a truly enthralling contest showcasing some of the finest talent in the country, tactical developments across the pitch proved to be the key as the Reds romped home with the three points.

Right from kick-off, it was evident that United were aiming for the three points as team top-scorers Muritala Ali and Mohammad Rafi tested Dempo custodian Kattimani with four long-range efforts in the opening ten minutes.

White Rampage 

The visitors gradually gained control of the game as the minutes wore on and were lethal on the right flank courtesy of the consistent inroads created by Clifford Miranda. The winger’s inch-perfect deliveries from dead-ball situation and on-the-run crosses was proving to be a major threat to Mahindra as the Goans pushed forward in numbers in search of the opener.

Twelve minutes in and Dempo capped off a period of persistent play with the inevitable opening goal to silence packed stands at the Cooperage. Off a beautiful cross by Valeriano Rebello from the right wing, Ranti Martins glancing header left the keeper with no chance as it crashed into the far corner. Goal! 1-0 to Dempo.

Close! 

The visitors continued to press forward and had opportunities to double their lead on two separate occasions within a space of five minutes. Beto’s curling free-kick from a prime scoring position was parried away by Subhodeep in the 17th before Joaquim raced on to a delightful through ball inside the box only to blast over from six yards out.

With the two isolated strikers rendered helpless in front of a packed defense, Mahindra’s first real chance of the game came off a free-kick at the edge of the area after Kattimani was rightly adjudged to have handled the ball outside the penalty area. Dead-ball specialist Steven Dias stepped up to take the resulting free-kick and watched as his subsequent attempt went agonizingly wide of the far post.

At half-time, it was 1-0 to Dempo.

Tactical Masterpiece 

With the probability of a five point deficit opening up against their rivals, United took to the field with renewed vigour following what was later disclosed by Coach Booth as a venomous team-talk. With a change in personnel came a change in the overall shape of United's formation as creative medio Mijin was brought on in place of Paresh Shivalkar.

The move almost paid immediate dividends as the big Serbian began supporting the strikers in the previously handicapped attacking third and simultaneously opened up space for Steven Dias on the right wing. Within four minutes of coming on, Mijin had already forced a full-stretch off the Dempo keeper following a cheeky, low drive off a dead-ball opportunity.

Double Trouble! 

The game finally came to life in the 56th minute when a shot by over-lapping defender Debrata Roy ws deflected into the path of Rafi, who in-turn showed great awareness to nudge a looping header over the head of a stranded Kattymani and into the back of the net. Goal! 1-1. Dempo’s ploy to sit back and soak up all the pressure was proving to be their undoing as United began to now dominate proceedings.

Nine minutes after the equalizer, United capped off the comeback by netted the go-ahead goal to send the Cooperage faithful into raptures. The entire Dempo defense was beaten as Muritala Ali raced on to a long ball up the pitch by defender Ravanan and with a single touch, tapped the ball over the rapidly advancing keeper at the edge of the box and into an unguarded net. Goal! 2-1 to Mahindra United.

Goans Fight Back 

Dempo winger Clifford Miranda was back in the thick of action with yet another outbreak of deliveries into the penalty area which forced some acrobatic save by the United keeper. On the one occasion where the defense was finally beaten, striker Ranti Martins failed to capitalize on a free header, sending his effort over the bar from inside the six yard box.

With time running out and United on the counter, Muritala netted his second of the game to put the result well beyond Dempo’s reach. After effortlessly shaking off his marker inside the box, the striker unleashed an unstoppable effort that beat the keeper at his near post and ended up in the back of the net. Goal. 3-1. Game. Set. Match. Mahindra.

Full Time! 

Seconds later, the sound of the final whistle signaled an epic victory for the home team and a welcome return to the head of the leader-board with 36 points ahead of Dempo’s 35. With seven rounds of high-intensity football in the offing, the stakes just went through the roof in this years i-League.