Kolkata: Mumbai outfit Mahindra United registered their maiden title triumph in the Federation Cup football tournament overcoming stiff resistance from Mohammedan Sporting 1-0 in an exciting final on August 9.

After being at the receiving end of continuous Sporting raids in the first half, Mahindra struck the winner late in the second session to emerge champions in the country's premier knock-out soccer tournament at the Salt Lake Stadium.

S Venkatesh, who otherwise had a lean day, netted the all-important goal in the 78th minute to dash the hopes of around 65,000 Sporting supporters at the stands.

A centre from the left by substitute Mongba Aby Samson found James Singh in the clear at the right.

James kept the ball on top of the box for an onrushing Venkatesh, whose right-footer was rebounded off a rival defender before travelling back to the medio.

James' second attempt was then fisted by an advancing Sporting custodian K M Rafeek, but only as far as Venkatesh, who scored with a rising, rasping right-footer.

Earlier, the well-contested opening session saw both the sides launching a series of raids, though Sporting held the upper hand both in terms of ball possession and number of positive chances.

With both the teams failing to break the deadlock before the breather and gradually losing out the steam, the second half became comparatively lacklustre as the players looked a trifle exhausted.

Mahindra, who had lost two earlier chances to lift the Cup in 1991 and 1993 respectively, proved third time lucky to annex the title at the flood-lit stadium.

PTI