Deccan XI `A’ stay in the reckoning

The win has thus left the league wide open as both Deccan and City after two ties have three points, from a win and a loss and join Shivajians who also have three points (from 1 tie), while Roopali S.C, the fourth team in the league, are still to log points.

However, if Deccan called the shots, City Club were to blame for their loss, missing sitters on two occasions, the first by Sanu Jacob and then substitute Junaid Akkalkotkar.

Barring a couple of half-chances, Deccan playing cohesive football almost took the lead through Sishir Shroff, who’s solo run was cut short owing to a pulled hamstring, nullifying medio Mandar Tamhane pass.

Deccan’s slow build-ups tantalised the City Club defence. And in one such movement a head-on by Nilesh left Rohit Rohit Nerlekar, who came on for Sishir in a one-to-one situation with defender Michael Pinto. However, a premature give up by Rohit denied Deccan a possible goal.At the other end, City tried hard to penetrate the opponents half.

An occasional run by Karuna Balan on the left flank, short bursts by Matthew Susainathan and Amjad Akkalkotkar was all that City Club could manage.The best chance of the half came on the half hour, owing to some slipshod defending by the City Club’s Michael and Junaid Akkalkotkar on the right. Rohit Ghag, who curled the ball in, left Rohit with just ‘keeper Khalid Parwani ahead of him. However, a hasty lob, over the horizontal, was all that Rohit could manage.

City thereafter had two half-chances go a-begging. The first when Karuna outsmarted defender Sandeep Patil, found his cross whiz past Sanu Jacob and Domnic Albert, who were a trifle early in their attempt. And immediately later Amjad, utilising Rahul Patki’s faux pas, sprayed wide a Sanu set-up, on the right. After the break, City Club took command initially. Domnic converging to a Michael Pinto chip on the right, found Sanu mess up his cross with a weak header.

Finally after playing out a scoreless hour Deccan took the lead. Medio Mandar Tamhane, who played his role well, did well to put Nilesh in possession with a gentle lob. A dribble thereafter left defender Mujeeb Sayyed stranded, on the edge of the box, and Nilesh with a clear look of the goal. What followed was a superb finish with Nilesh unleashing a powerful try ending into the left corner of the goal, past a rooted custodian Khalid Parwani.

Down by a goal had City Club seeming pressured. A hastily taken goal-kick by Khalid almost spelt doom for his team and needed some acrobatic collection by the ‘keeper to keep his slate clean. Ravi Shetty, who benefitted from the kick, did well to put Nilesh in possession. However Nilesh’s left-footer thereafter failed to beat Khalid.

City Club’s golden chance came when Sanu converged well to a Matthew chip outpaced defenders Rohit Patki, Ameet Uchil and Sishir, but Sanu much to the dismay of all, blasted onto ‘keeper Anshuman Pandhare, when a simple placement would have been enough. The miss was followed up by another when substitute Arshad failed to get a firm foot to a Michael cross, allowing Rahul clear in the nick of time.

In the dying minute, City Club’s ‘keeper Khalid `gifted’ Deccan their second goal. A free-kick earned by Nilesh on the left owing to a rough tackle by Junaid, had Rohit’s 30-yard effort end up in the cage, with Khalid failing to read the dipping ball.

Today’s Fixtures: Shivajians v Roopali S.C — 4.00.