For the opponents, too, who badly needed to increase their goal difference along with grabbing three points, there was little for the taking as they line up for tougher matches in the Super League. Okogoro’s solo run through the mid-field past Arif Ansari, Rakesh Kajonia and Sohrab Khan and his final lob over the advancing goalkeeper to score was just the beginning that kept coach Maonranjan Bhattacharya inside the dugout during the first half.

In the second half though, it were the misses from the same man (Okogoro) along with compatriot Sunday that left the coach biting his nails. Further blushes were saved by his line of defenders — including the likes Pushpender Kundu and former India player Monitombi Singh — who intercepted and outwitted every formation from Asad Khan, Lalminthang Samte and Mohammad Azad. To worsen City FC’s chances of equalising — and beating the opponents’ defence — Mohammad Azad wasted a free-kick by passing it to Akshay Dutt who, on the brink of losing possession, drove it too long for Jenthailung Kabui.

They wasted most opportunities on counterattack by mispassing or losing time. In the final ten minutes, Okogoro and Sunday failed to coordinate as help came pouring in from Monitombi and Sovan Das from the two flanks.