Tags:
Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, July 17: Natural justice prevailed when Central Railway Bombay Division edged out All-Parsees 4-3 via the tie-breaker to enter the final of the Mumbai District Football Association-organised J C Maitra Cup tournament at the St. Xavier8217;s ground, Parel here today.
Central Railway were the team that carried out most of the attacks and, only the incredibly efficient off-side traps set up by the All- Parsees thwarted them from breaking through and scoring.
All-Parsees had just one man in their team that could give them a goal Fareez Vasania, the former Air-India striker. All Parsees had trouble with their left-wing back, Percy Dumasia, who nearly gave away a goal five minutes after the start due to his impetuousness.
With Central Railway attacking from the right, Percy, mercifully had little to do. But when the ball rolled on towards him, he tried to hook it away to safety. Alas he missed it and Tony Dias had the liberty to take a free shot from 20 yards. Dias shot wildly.
When Central Railway striker Ravi Ghadi tried to break down from the centre, he was brought down unceremoniusly for which Xerxes Pochkanwala was booked by referee Salim Abbas.
At the other end, the only chance Parsees came through a spectacular effort from Fareez Vasania, whose back volley after controlling the ball with the head, tested the Central Railway goalkeeper Anthony D8217;Souza, who took it in his safe custody even as Shaheen Mistry and Dhanesh Pardiwala were breathing down his nose. After sixth minutes, the shoot-out had to be resorted to. It was then that Anthony D8217;Souza showed his true colours.
He brought off two great saves, first diving low to his right and blocking Shaheen Mistry8217;s shot and then flinging high to the left and palming out Rohinton Sidhwa8217;s attempt.
With three attempts each, Central Railway had a 2-1 lead. But Prasees8217; keeper Irani brought off a great save to prolong the inevitable. He dived low to the right and used his excellent reach to good effect and divert Inas Baretto8217;s shot that would have given Central Railway an unbeaten lead.
Farhad Palia, Noazad Dazi and Adil Dalal were successful in the shoot out for Parsees while Sanjay Kar, Narendra Karanjkar and Anthony himself scored for Central Railway. Central Railway meet Royal Caterers in the final.
Earlier, in the Division I league match for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Trophy, Don Bosco Oratory A8217; trounced Ceat 4-0. Suresh Chinkate scored a brace with Lancen Mendonza and a self goal by Ravi Mendon making up the tally.
Lobo nets brace
R Lobo scored both the goals in Punjab National Bank8217;s 2-0 win over over Trade Indian in the Western India Football Association-organised First Division match at the Cooperage today.
