The game, played at a very slow pace did little to enthrall the sparse crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Playing under new coach P Kannan, Sporting were over-dependant on the two Kenyans as they have been throughout this season. Moses Ohira managed to get the only goal for Sporting, but Cassius Owino squandered his share of opportunities.

Ohira's goal was in fact, a mistake on the part of BMFC goalkeeper AR Sinha. The custodian, who was a bundle of nerves throughout the game, allowed an apparently innocuous looking Ohira shot to slip through his hands. Ohira's grounder from outside the box hit Sinha's left hand before roling into the goal.

Three minutes later, the Mumbai club equalised after a flag-kick. Gurinderpal Singh's corner kick from the left found Herbert Philips attempta well calculated header. Rashmohon Mallick's clearance was as far as Emeka, who just had to push the ball in.