Emta Mohammedan Sporting registered a second straight win in the second division I-League final round (first leg), overcoming Southern Samity 1-0 at the Football Stadium here on Friday.
Samity had offered stiff resistance till Alfred Jaryan broke the deadlock, heading home a corner in the 69th minute. The outcome sent Sporting one point clear of Mumbai Tigers at the top of the table, although the latter has played one game less.
Samity set about blunting Sporting’s attack from the outset, marking the opponent’s two strikers effectively. Jaryan and Younes Baltham saw little of the ball unless they dropped deep, eliminating the possibility of any goalmouth action.
Jerry Zirsingha, one of Sporting’s chief players on the right, was also tied down, ensuring there was little service forwards. David Ngaihte managed a shot on target for Samity but his effort was turned over the bar.
The first half ended predictably goalless. Samity continued with its ways after the interval, harrying and closing the rival’s players down quickly. The only way it seemed a goal would arrive was through a set piece. And when Jaryan was left unmarked on Gouranga Dutta’s corner, the Liberian nodded in without trouble.
The results: Langsning FC 3 (Joel Sunday Ayeni 11, Daniel Bidemi Ayeni 73, Victor Shadap 90+3) drew with Bhawanipore FC 3 (Hudson Lima Silva 7, Yosef Masuriqi 26, Jagannath Sana 70); Southern Samity 0 lost to Emta Mohammedan SC 1 (Alfred Jaryan 69).
