Mohammedan Sporting Club were extremely poor in front of goal as they suffered a 4-1 loss to Tiddim Road Athletic Union FC in an Preliminary Round Group C game of ongoing Second Division League at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on Thursday.

The Black Panthers offered very little in attack as they suffered their very first defeat of the campaign, which saw TRAU dispossed them from top of the Group C standings with 7 points from 3 games.

Malemnganba Meitei (25th & 45+1st minute) and Princewill Emeka (74th & 90+3rd) struck a brace each for TRAU, meanwhile substitute Dipendu Dowary (53rd) pulled a goal back for Mohammedan SC.

Heading into the game, Mohammedan SC Head Coach Biswajit Bhattacharya made three changes to the side by handing club debuts to striker Fikru Lemessa, midfielder Sukhwinder Singh and defender Dalraj Singh at the expenses of Cho Lepcha, Rahul Jaiswal and Manotosh Chakladar.

The home team controlled the flow of play early on and were the first to threaten in the 10th minute when Mohammedan SC kepeer Suvam Sen had to be at his best to turn a 25-yard free-kick from Reisangmi Vashum around the post.

In the 25th minute there was nothing Suvam could do when Malemnganba met a cross from Nelson Kom and powerfully headed home from 12-yards out.

Mohammedan Sporting saw more of the ball after that, but they were poor in the final third and could not create any significant openings in front of goal.

Some poor defending in additional time allowed TRAU to score their second goal when Dalraj failed to clear a goalmouth scramble which allowed Malemnganba to fire home from close range to give his side a two goal cushion going into the breather.

Mohammedan SC began the second half positively and kept the early pressure on their opponents with Fikru and Dipendu combining well upfront.

Fikru, who worked his way on the left, sent a goal mouth cross where TRAU defenders failed to clear, and Dipendu tapped the ball home to make it 2-1 in the 53rd minute. Thereby igniting hopes of a comeback.

However, in the 74th minute some more sloppy defending by Mohammedan SC, and Echezona Anichiye in particular, saw Princewill through on goal from Deepak Singh’s pass, who slotted past Suvam to make it 3-1.

Mohammedan SC though created some chances but failed to scored, as they failed to stick to their passing game policy. The players seemed to be more keen on playing direct football sending long balls from the centre-line.

TRAU put the final nail in the coffin through Princewill in additional time when the Nigerian found the back of the net from Vashum’s pass.

Mohammedan Sporting, who have six points from three games, will host Shillong-based Langsning FC next on April 9, 2018 at Barasat Stadium.

(Mohammedan Sporting Club)