Two goals from Brazilian Josimar Martins had Chirag United back on top of the table in the third I-League with 15 points from seven games. No one barring the team perhaps, expected this with the League one round away from breaking off for the year.
For the first goal, Josimar outran Salgaocar's Asian central defender Rouhollah Samienia to tap home compatriot Edmilson Marques's square pass after Chirag United broke down the middle. For the second, he showed the kind of opportunism without which a striker can't earn his keep. Again it was Samienia who couldn't keep the burly Brazilian in check. Josimar repaid the compliment in the final quarter but on the run, Edmilson couldn't get a proper connection. Gouranga Biswas could have doubled the victory margin but a win by any number of goals tastes just as sweet.
In another match at the Cooperage, Mumbai, Md Rafi’s 54th minute strike helped Mahindra hold Viva Kerala 1-1. Wisut Bunpeng scored for the visitors on the half-hour mark.
Bagan take on Sporting Club
{{/usCountry}}Bagan take on Sporting Club
{{/usCountry}}Hoping to reverse their sagging fortunes, Sporting Clube de Goa host Mohun Bagan in their seventh round clash on Saturday. Air India, who recently were beaten 2-3 by Churchill Brothers, face East Bengal in the other match at the Cooperage.
Result: Chirag United 2 (Josimar, 52, 68)