Indrayani oust Range Hills

It was Wanowrie who drew first blood giving Deccan an early scare. Fifteen minutes into the game, the alert Ravindra Sathe pounced on a loose ball spilt by the keeper, Joseph Thomas and tapped in.

Deccan XI then got down to the task taking charge of the game soon after the one goal deficit. Seven minutes later they drew level via Siddarth Gharpure which was initiated by a Jehan Kothare pass.

Wanowrie8217;s stubborn defence stood their ground not conceding further goals till lemon time.

Resuming at a level score, Deccan XI surged ahead, ten minutes into the session. Sandeep Patil slammed home this one aided by a Deepak Ranaware pass. By now the leaders had taken a strong hold on the proceedings gaining maximum ball control.

Wanowrie8217;s fate was sealed in the 50th minute when they conceded one more goal. Nilesh Natu made a solo charge into the goal box, getting past a host of defenders and knocked in.

Three yellow cards were shown in the entire match, going to Mahesh Naik and Siddarth Gharpure of Deccan. Wanowrie8217;s Stanley Fernandes was the third player to receive the yellow card. Deccan XI have now set up a semi-final clash against Knights XI another enterprising team capable of creating an upset.

Indrayani SC, the lads from Dehu Road and Range Hills from Kirkee were involved in a to-and-fro battle, the action switching ends frequently. After a barren first session the subsequent session witnessed goals. Riding on Sunder Pillay8217;s brace, Indrayani managed to hold their rivals till the final whistle with the odd goal in three advantage.

Indrayani surged ahead in the 36th minute when Sunder Pillay sprinted with the ball from 25, followed by a lone defender in hot pursuit who failed to tackle him till the very end. Sunder then sent in a cross kick from the left beating the keeper T Parthaswamy on the way.

The match turned dramatic in the last ten minutes of play. Range Hills came on even par thanks to a penalty coming about in a rather uncanny way. Indrayani defender Satish Menon, while attempting to stave off a rival attempt, slipped and squatted on the ground, his hands getting in the way. The resultant spot kick was easily put away by Krishna Munnaswamy, past keeper Allwyn Maksare.

Four minutes later the action returned in the Range Hills half. Sunder Pillay and Anthony Chawdi brought about a scoring opportunity and a goal mouth melee ensued. Sunder took advantage of the same banging home the match winner and completing his brace in the process. Indrayani now await the winners of tomorrow8217;s second semi-final for a final count down in the tournament.

Today8217;s fixtures: S/F: 4.45 p.m: Deccan XI A8217; vs Knights XI.