Mahindra United scored a 1-0 victory over Brothers Union of Bangladesh at the Fatorda stadium in Margao, Goa, on Tuesday night, to keep alive their hopes of making it to the next round in the AFC Cup football tournament.
Mahindras, with five points, now need Al Ahed to lose to favourites Al Moharraq to finish second from Group 'B' and also hope that Al Nejmeh beat Al Faisley of Group 'D' to qualify for the quarter-finals.
The all-important goal was scored in the first minute of stoppage time, when captain S Venkatesh fired home a left-footer that hit the bar before entering the net off substitute K Anees's pass.
Al Moharraq, who lead the table with 13 points, have already qualified for the quarter-finals from this group.
Mahindra United, the National League champions who enjoyed territorial advantage over their rivals throughout the match, were unable to score mainly due to the Bangladesh outfit's custodian Ali Mohammed, who bought off fine saves thrice from David Adjei and Yusif Yakubu efforts.
Brothers Union's defence also put up a good show to cut off the Mumbai team's constant moves.
Mahindras' frustration grew more towards the end even as they piled pressure and their efforts bore fruit in the stoppage time when Venkatesh found the net.
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