MUMBAI: Curtains would be drawn on one of the premier football clubs in the country as Mumbai’s Mahindra United take on JCT in the I-League encounter on Thursday after which the team is winding up their show.

The decision of the club’s management last month to shut shop and focus on grass root level football came as a big shock to the fans and on Thursday they have the last chance to see their favourite team in action.
Lying fourth after the penultimate round of the 2009-10 season, Mahindra would love to go out on a resounding note, said team manger Mr Henry Menezes.
“That’s what we always try to do, win,” said the former India goalkeeper ahead of the tie.
A victory would enable Mahindra to clinch at least the fourth spot at the end of their stint as Mohun Bagan, who are two points behind them with 36 to their credit, would then be unable to overhaul them in the final rankings.
A win would also give them a good chance of finishing higher if Pune FC lose their concluding clash against champions Dempo in a match that would be held at the same time in Goa.
Performing extremely well in the first phase and early part of the second while remaining in contention for the honours, Mahindra faltered at a critical stage of the league.
Coach David Booth was surprised by the sudden dip in form of his team and critical of the players’ display of late.
“This is our last chance to regain a little credibility and respect before we all move on. During the last several weeks, ninety-five per cent of the players have received contracts elsewhere, so there is no excuse for the lack of performance in recent games,” Booth said.
“I’m surprised when you consider that the same group of players lost just one game in 20 and then only draw one of the next five,” he added.
To gain the runners-up spot, Mahindra need to beat JCT, sixth with 32 points to their credit, and hope that Dempo, who have already won the title, defeat Pune FC (41 points) on Thursday in Goa.
Also third placed Churchill Brothers (40 points) would have to drop points against relegation-threatened Air India on Friday for Mahindra to end up second.
Mahindra and Pune have the same goal difference (+15) while the jeepmen enjoy a better goal difference as compared to Churchill, who have dropped points in their last three ties.
Mahindra, who drew goalless with JCT in the first leg, will miss the services of their Senegalese centre-back Lamine Tamba, who is out with a double booking.
Impressive at home, JCT (32 points) made a decent start to their campaign in the second phase but have struggled while travelling, losing four of their six away matches in the second phase.