KOLKATA (India): Pedro Manzi scored a brace as 10-men Mohammedan Sporting beat Real Kashmir to book a top-six spot in the I-League on Sunday.
The local side has 16 points from 10 matches.
After skipper Kingsley Eze was sent off in the first half, Pedro proved to be the trump card for Mohammedan as he scored two goals in the space of five minutes in the second half to lead the Black Panthers into top half qualification.
Despite dominating possession for much of the first half, a listless performance in the attacking department let Mohammedan down again, in the first half.
Even new-signing Pedro could not work his magic in a half where Mohammedan had almost 80 per cent ball possession. The Black Panthers could only muster half-chances and Vanlalbiaa Chhangte proved to be a live-wire in the final third.
His shot in the 16th minute came agonisingly close to handing Mohammedan the lead after he was released onto goal by Pedro Manzi. However, Chhangte from a very tight angle, could only help it away from the goal.
Meanwhile, Real Kashmir enjoyed sitting deep and tried to attack through long balls for Lukman Adefemi and Mason Robertson up front.
The Snow Leopards, boasting one of the best defensive records in the league, played as though they had shut-shop for any Mohammedan attack – committing bodies in front of the ball and comfortably keeping their opponents at bay.
