CALCUTTA (India): Mohammedan Sporting overcame Sikkim Himalayan FC 2-1 on Tuesday to reclaim the 39th Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup which they won last time in 2016 in Gangtok.
It was Mohammedan’s third title after their maiden crown in 1980.
Vanlalbiaa Chhangte was the hero with the opening goal in the fourth minute and the winner (79th) after the local side equalised through Eugene Nimako in the 62nd.
Chhangte beat goalkeeper Urgen Pintson from close range to give Mohammedan the lead early.
Despite the early setback, Sikkim bounced back into the game with the equalizer in the second half. They even looked dangerous to snatch the lead, but lack of cohesion in their attacks did them in.
But Mohammedan regained confidence with Tirthankar Sarkar combining well with Chhangte and Charles Atcha to keep the pressure on their opponents.
With time running out and the match heading towards penalties, Mohammedan reclaimed their lead when Chhangte found the net with a powerful drive at the end of a determined run.
With this victory, Mohammedan also broke the jinx as they had never beaten Sikkimese side, formerly known as Gangtok Himalayan, at Paljor Stadium in the past.
