City Club enter semis

City Club started well and enjoyed majority of the early possession. They led early in the game thanks to striker Shree Jagtap. Jagtap found himself free at the edge of the box and struck a venomous shot that proved too hot for the keeper to handle. The game,which had a somber start,now became feistier with challenges flying in from both teams. I

In a matter of five minutes,City Club’s Prince Oswal and Mischief Makers’ Sanu Jacob both saw yellow for rash challenges. Jacob,Pune football’s seasoned veteran,shifted to a more familiar striker’s position after starting at center defense. With his superior hold up play,Mischief Maker’s were looking more threatening in front of goal. They had a couple of chances to equalize but squandered both of them. This was followed by a chance for City Club to double their lead. Left-winger Matthew Susainathan put in a beautiful cross straight on the head of the striker,but he could only managed to put it wide. The half ended 1-0.

The second half saw the Mischief Makers start I electric fashion. They were attacking with purpose. City Club were happy to sit back,soak in the pressure and burst forward on the counter. Mischief Makers won a couple of free kicks and nearly scored from one when an out stretched Sanu Jacob narrowly missed the ball from five yards out. In a move to slow things down and bring on some fresh legs,City Club brought on Vinay Varghese and that turned out to be a masterstroke. In the very next move of the match,Michael Pinto delivered an exquisite ball from defence to left-winger Varghese,who headed it directly to Susainathan. The inch perfect header put Susainathan one-on-one with the keeper and he slotted the ball home to give his team a comfortable two-goal cushion.

The goal was followed by a fight that broke out when a City club player hurled abuses at the opposition bench. The game halted for a good ten minutes before everyone calmed down and then play resumed. City Club held possession for the next ten minutes and saw out the game. The referee blew his final whistle and the match ended 2-0.