Central Railway hold Mahindras

The scoring, opened by Mahindras, was done in the first half prominent striker Herbert Philip squeaking home a goal tinged with comedy in the 19th minute.

The slush in front of an open goal after Kabui shot from Abay Kumar’s through pass brought the ball to a dead halt. Philip rushed in to tap home past two confused defenders.

Although Mahindras controlled play in the first half, Central rare attack was marked with confidence, purpose and enterprise — illustrated by the equaliser, a goal from the top drawer by Augusto D’Silva in the 41st minute.D’Silva fooled Mahindras’ deep defenders and goalkeeper Gumpe Rime, unleashing a powerful shot after feigning a wall pass to Anton Fernandes on the right flank.

A half-turn followed by a booming shot took stopper-back Majumdar’s shoulder before entering the extreme right of the net to the chagrin of a desperately diving Rime.

A rare beaut at the Cooperage and D’Silva made amends for a miss in the early moments of the match, when a pile driver from an acute angle just sailed over.

D’Silva, however, didn’t seem satisfied and Central could well have forged ahead within a minute after equalising. A measured forward pass found Asif Jamal whose shot from an acute angle from the left crashed into the side-netting.

But it were Mahindras who perhaps were more rueful on two close chances, both by the tirelessly running Kabui.

Exchanges were even in the second half but play deteriorated. Mahindras brought in old warhorse Santhosh Kashyap for Philip but subsequent changes that saw both Sanjay Rawal and Kabui go out deprived the experienced midfielder of worthwhile support.

Abhay Kumar did much on the right flank for the jeepmen but spoilt everything with insipid finishes while Kabui went close again with a menacing shot that had Khanolkar hastily punching over for a corner.Central earned an indirect free-kick within the box after Rime overstepped but an unimaginative ploy rendered the award waste.

Jamal’s prodigality deprived Central victory in the last quarter, the railway striker hesitant on one occasion and wayward with a header in the other.

Cental were lucky to remain on level terms with only eight minutes to go.Khanolkar let slip a powerful attempt by Kashyap from 25 yards, the ball just rolling a little wide off the post for a corner.

PNB PREVAIL: Two goals by Adrian Moraes helped Punjab National Bank beat New India Assurance 2-0 in a First Division match, played earlier at the same venue.

RANGERS REVEL: Borivli Rangers defeated Young Challengers 3-2 in a MDFA second division football league match here today. Borivli had held a 3-0 lead with the goals coming from Agnello Fernandes, Ryan Lobo and Adrian Moraes. Young Challengers scored through Satyawan lad and Mangesh Pagare.Don Bosco Oratory `B’ and Antop Rangers drew goalless in a third division match.

SHETTY FOR K L: SS Shetty, referees instructor and match commissioner with the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) has been invited by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to attend a course for Asian referees at Kuala Lumpur from July 4 to 6. Shetty is a Fifa referee having officiated at several top Asian events..