Shivajians Sports Club enter KCB Presidents Cup semis

Shivajians looked a better outfit compared to the one which played the last match against Old Boys Association with Sanu Jacob, Edwin and Sushil Joseph making the first eleven.

On the other hand Kirkee Blues were more attacking in the approach with Michael Andrews making most of the moves.

However the Kirkee Blues keeper Sandhu failed to judge the airborne ball for the Shivajians to forge ahead in the 17th minute of play. Thon Pau’s 30-yarder beat Sandhu by the curve and he was just a spectator as the ball crashed into the far corner of the net.

Eight minutes later opportunists Sanu Jacob who was very shabby in controlling the ball booted home Cedric Fernandes centre which came off a defenders legs. he Shivajians held on to the lead when they took the breather.

If the first session belonged to the defending champions Shivajians the Kirkee Blues took control of the situation in the latter half. Michael Andrews, Sagar Dongre were the main play makers for them with their fine combination and ball control.

But they had to wait till the 60th minute to find the mark. Vinod Mane was the man who reduced the margin with a first timer, and with just two minutes to go for the final whistle Sagar Dongre scored off a controversial decision by referee Manju Sangle.

Sagar Dongre who beat two defenders was in a right position to take the strike, when Shivajians keeper Nelson Po who was beaten and lying on the ground and with the ball nowhere near held on to the legs of Sagar Dongre and surprisingly referee Manju Sangle awarded a indirect kick instead of a penalty, whoever Kirkee Blues managed to score when Sagar Dongre nodded home to level the score.

In the tie-breaker, only Jannudin Shaikh and Sagar Dongre scored for Kirkee Blues while Gaurish Kamtha, Cedric Fernandes, Sanjay Sangle, Thon Pau and kenneth Fernandes found the net for Shivajians.

Santosh Sutar converted a penalty in the 16th for Sangam, but Rahul struck back twice in a span eight minutes to book their place in the last four of the championship.

Today’s fixtures: SKF vs Shivajians 2 p.m; Roopali vs Youth Club 3.30 p.m; Youngsters vs Thundercatz 5 p.m.