Brazilian recruit Ednei Jose Damasio struck twice to help Mahindra United prevail over a spirited Indian Bank 2-0 in a National Football League match in Chennai on Wednesday.
The Mumbai outfit went ahead in the very first minute of the contest, surprising both the bank defenders and goalkeeper Felix Edward.
R P Singh effected a long cross from the left flank towards the box even before the defenders could settle down and Damasio trapped the bouncing ball and lobbed it into the goal.
After conceding the first goal the bankmen stepped up the pace of the game, launching a series of attacks, but failed to provide the finishing touches. On two occasions they came close to scoring but Harish and Mohammad away frittered the chances.
After the breather, Mahindra struck up a good rhythm again and kept the rival defenders on tenterhooks with their repeated assaults.
On one such occasion, goalkeeper Edward, who was shaky in his gatherings today and defender Nathaniel, who received a yellow card for handling the ball, came a cropper following a flag-kick, and Damasio chested the ball and slammed home to settle the issue.
With this victory, Mahindra have ten points from as many matches. They take on JCT Mills in Ludhiana next, on February 2.
Indian Bank remain on 11 points from ten matches. They play their next match against HAL in Bangalore, on February 3.
