Yakubu's solo goal gives Churchill victory

Striker Yakubu Yusif's 25th minute goal enabled Churchill Brothers, Goa, pip Mahindra United, Mumbai, 1-0 in a seventh Oil-PSU National Football League match at the Cooperage in Mumbai, On Friday.

The Goan outfit managed their only second win from seven outings while the local team have just one win from seven outings to their credit.

Within five minutes of the start of the match Mahindra United made two good moves but failed to score. First striker R C Prakash's attempt was well-saved by Churchill custodian Edward Ansah. Soon after winger Mongba Aby Samson shot over off R P Singh's pass from the top of the box.

Five minutes later, the Goa side came up with a good move but Yakubu's shot from the top of the box was well-saved by Mahindra custodian Naseem Akhtar.

Then Yakubu's fine run, after getting the ball from the mid-field, resulted in the only goal of the match.

Five minutes later Mahindra came very near to restoring parity but their defender Peter Siddique's header off mid-fielder Peter Strnadel's floater was saved by a diving Ansah.

Twenty-five minutes after the break, Mahindra's Samson shot out following a R P Singh pass with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Mahindra defender Odartey Lawson also had a good chance to score but his lob from the top of the box was well collected by Ansah despite losing his footing.

With just ten minutes to go for the final hooter the visitors could have increased their tally but Yakubu's try, off substitute Anil Kumar, was well-saved by Akhtar.

Complete Coverage: 7th National Football League 2002-03