Jamshedpur: Qualifiers Mohammedan Sporting stunned Durand Cup winners Air India in Siliguri, while defending champions Salgaocar and Pune FC kick-started their respective campaigns on winning notes in Jamshedpur in the Federation Cup football tournament here on Thursday.
In Group B league matches in Siliguri, a second-half strike by Mohammad Mukhtar (54th) was enough to give Mohammedan Sporting a winning start, while star-studded Mohun Bagan played out a goal-less draw with Churchill Brothers in an evening match at the Kanchenjunga Stadium on Thursday.
In an evenly-contested Group A match at JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, Salgaocar were under pressure for a barren first half against a re-jigged United SC boasting star forwards Ranty Martins, former Costa Rican World Cupper Carlos Hernandez and India goalkeeper Subrata Pal.
But the Karim Bencherifa-coached side bounced back in the second-half when forward Milagres Gonsalves sent an accurate pass to midfielder Anthony D'Souza, who dribbled past two United SC defenders before he dodged past goalkeeper Subrata Pal to score the matchwinner in the 64th minute.
In another Group A match, simultaneously played at the Keenan stadium in Jamshedpur, Bhaichung Bhutia-owned United Sikkim dominated the proceedings against Pune FC but only to go down after the latter scored through a left-footed finish from outside the penalty box.
Mohammedan Sporting continued from where they had left in the qualifiers as they were impressive right from the start.
The Kolkata side could well have won by a bigger margin had they converted the several chances that came their way.
Mohammedan Sporting could have taken the lead in the second minute when striker David Sunday got himself clear of the Air India defence but only to ruin the advantage by firing against the upright.
Sunday was unlucky again as his second attempt in the 49th minute was blocked by the Air India upright again.
Mukhtar finally scored the match-winner when he got the possession from an Air India defender and followed it up with a brilliant right-footer from around 20 yards.
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