DEFENDING champions Rahul Sankrutyayan Sports Association are having a horrid time, while newly-promoted Manganese Ore India Limited (MOIL) XI are improving with every match.

On Friday, the miners from MOIL stunned a much fancied Rahul SSA by two goals to one to record their first win from four games and two draws. The win helped them jump to the fourth spot in the 10-team standings with five points.

On the other hand, Rahul SSA slipped to seventh spot after their second defeat.

The Mohan Nagar-based team never looked a dominating side as MOIL boys pressed hard with their threatening forays.

MOIL were lucky to take the lead through a deflection in the 30th minute. Aman Kathoute’s powerful right footer from 40 yards was deflected by Rahul midfielder Stanley Peter as the ball flew into the top of the net giving Rahul goalkeeper Shubham Kanojiya no chance to palm it over the post.

Peter, who returned to his side after serving Maharashtra team in Santosh Trophy, started at the defence giving stopper Sagar Chintala opportunity to play as a midfielder for some time.

But Rahul’s strategy did not work. They started the game with a 3-3-4 formation but were unable to put pressure on MOIL.

They finally returned back to the tried and tested 4-2-4 format with Peter playing in the midfield, assisting the front line and Chintala at defence.

Peter succeeded in levelling the scores at the stroke of half-time. Gaurav Sahare ran from left flank and crossed an aerial ball inside the rectangle. Peter timed his jump very well and headed the ball to the top right corner of the net making

it 1-1. But it was MOIL who had to last laugh as they once again took the lead in the 85th minute.

A defensive lapse by Rahul defenders saw striker Rupnath Gajpale scoring the second goal for MOIL. Ajit Bagde gave a long pass from left side of the half line and Gajpale collected it well in front of Chintala. He dribbled the last stopper-back and even managed to beat an advancing Rahul goalkeeper Kanojiya to dispatch the ball into the net.

Rahul SSA sorely missed the services of forward Giftson Saji who was injured and midfielder Vallerian Paul who was serving a suspension for double booking in their last match.

To make the matters worse, agile striker Badal Soren had to be substituted in the 20th minute of play with an ankle injury.

MOIL’s Pravin Bhalavi, Ram Rautel, Youraj Dudhnag were excellent on the field.

There will be a break on Saturday. On Sunday, Ansar Sporting Club, Kamptee will lock horns with arch-rivals Rabbani Club, Kamptee at same venue.

From Monday, matches will be played at JSW Kalmeshwar ground.