PUNE, March 29: It was a start befitting the Super Four PDFA I-Division football league with half a dozen goals interspersed by wasted opportunities. Shivajians got off to a flier today, annexing three points after they beat Deccan XI 4-2 at the Ammunition Factory Stadium, Kirkee.Each encounter is crucial in the four-team league in a scramble to the title and showing a sense of urgency, Deccan drew first blood to set the goal spree in motion. Coming in uncanny circumstances, striker Nitesh Natu's shot deflected off Shivajian defender Nitin D'Souza to cross the goaline. Deccan joy was short-lived died. Shivajians restored parity in the very next minute - Neuman slamming home after latching on to a neatly executed forward pass by Thon Pau. The teams took the interval with the scores deadlocked but after the change of ends Shivajians shot into the lead in the 46th minute through Dal Pau in the 46th minute off a Cedric Fernandes pass.Six minutes later Neuman knocked in the the third finishing off a one-two with Kunal Chakranarayan. Thon Pau made the issue safe ten minutes from the final whistle executing a brilliant free kick with the outstep, five yards from the sideline which curled into the net taking 'keeper Anshuman Pandhare along. Deccan XI reduced the margin in the dying minutes via Nilesh Natu beating Jayendra Swamy all hands down.Today's fixtures: 4.00 p.m: Rupali SC vs City Club.
