United SC made a winning start to their 2013-14 Airtel I-League campaign as they beat newly-promoted Rangdajied United FC 2-0 here at the Saltlake Stadium on Sunday. Strikers Ranti Martins and Eric Brown were the goal scorers for the Purple shirts.
Both sides struggled to get going in the first half but Rangdajied goalkeeper Surajy Kumar Paryar made a double save from a corner to deny Ranti and CK Vineeth.
Shillong’s Rangdajied, who were playing their first-ever I-League game, slowly grew into the match and had a couple of opportunities from set-pieces. First Sandesh Gadkari produced a smart save off Sangram Mukherjee after a Eugeneson Lyngdoh corner.
Then from a Lyngdoh freekick, Brazilian Edmar Figueira could only attempt a weak header despite being completely unmarked. United SC went the closest in the first half though as Ranti hit the woodwork and side netting from a freekick just before halftime.
The teams took time to settle in the second half also but United SC’s experience and quality slowly started to have its influence as Ranti’s shot from an acute angle narrowly missed the target at the hour mark.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 64th minute when Ranti headed home Brown’s well-taken freekick. The Top Scorer of the last three Seasons got away from his marker and headed past Paryar to open his account for the new campaign.
United SC started passing the ball better after the opening goal and doubled their advantage through Brown. This time Ranti was the provider as he found Liberian Brown in a good position and the former ONGC player found the back of the net with a clinical finish to score on his United SC I-League debut.
The hosts had further chances to increase their advantage but Paryar made a couple of smart saves while Rangdajied United didn’t threaten to stage a comeback.
United SC host Sporting Clube de Goa next week while Rangdajied United face fellow I-League debutants Bengaluru FC in an away clash.
(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)