Debutantes BMFC triumph as reds signal end of line for Central

Spurred on by a large crowd, the final, a local derby, produced drama and excitement but also sorrow and dismay for expelled Central goalkeeper Raghuveer Khanolkar — a more than likely candidate for the best player award before the match.

Shock for coach Irenio Vaz and his side, but there was more to follow when exactly an hour’s play later, make-shift defender Masood Ansari marched to the dressing room after conceding a penalty.

TheRailway side, weakened by two suspensions to wing-back Sadanand Kakodkar and striker Arshad Ansari, began in whirlwind fashion, displaying the same courage and enterprise that marked their splendid run to the final via the qualifiers.

But with battle not into its first quarter, Khanolkar, sliding to thwart a menacing Nigerian Emeka Achelifu’s prod towards goal, handled outside the area. The referee’s decisiveness had the ‘keeper trudging back to the dressing room, a determined Mark Mascarenhas coming in for defender Venkat Rao and Masood Ansari moving from mid-field to defence.

Central’s grit and tenacity held their battlements firm before half-time, thanks largely to a fine show by the new ‘keeper which included a reflex save to deny Kasif Jamal from close.

But came the second half, BMFC armour in the shape of explosive little strikers Herbert Philip and Udaykumar Konar, razed a beleaguered garrison after the foot soldiers had failed.

The duo had in Player-of-the-Tournament James Singh an efficientsupply line to the front and the young mid-fielder’s sparkling runs made for two out of three goals that derailed Central’s challenge in the second half.

The railway side delighted with an inexplicable reserve of energy despite being one short and chances fell to Shanta Kumar, Arif Ansari and Asif Jamal but there was a limit to endurance.

After surviving close calls in the early moments of the second half, BMFC struck paydirt as they rung the changes.

In came Philip and the little striker made an impact almost immediately. Livewire Konar pressured Amir Lotlikar to part with the ball. Ever the predator, Emeka passed to Kasif Jamal and a lob had Philip volleying home neatly past a helpless Mascarenhas in the 67th minute.

Central were struck another blow five minutes later after another run by James on the right. A cross and an attempt by Philip that drew Mascarenhas to a good save had Konar blasting goalwards. Masood, in the line of fire, and with concern for his anatomy, handled. Company for Khanolkarin the dressing room and a penalty for BMFC after referee Ravishankar had his way.Emeka, with a heavily strapped knee, coolly shot home to make it 2-0 and bring on BMFC fans’ drum beats.

Central’s embers of resistance were doused when James and Konar combined to set up Emeka who headed home BMFC’s third with just three minutes to go.

Irenio irked

Central Railway coach Irenio Vaz thought either red cards against his team were harsh.

“I am not too certain about whether Khanolkar’s expulsion was justified or not, but Masood was clearly protecting himself when he conceded the penalty,” Vaz lamented.

Jamshed Nassiri, the Iranian guiding BMFC, handed it to his team for a truly team effort and reflected on slowing down the game in the first half as the key to success today. BMFC, making the final after outgunning Churchill Brothers (Goa) on penalties in the semi-finals look back on a dream debut that brought the local league title besides today’s success watched by a crowd of around 7,000.

BMFCcollected Rs 3 lakh as winners, Central Railway Rs 2 lakh. Losing semi-finalists Churchill Brothers, Salgaocar get Rs 1 lakh. The champions’ young mid-fielder James Singh collected Rs 51,000 and the Akthar Hussain Trophy as best player of the tournament sponsored by Bristol and co-sponsored by Titan and New India Assurance.