TFA overcome slush, spirited railwaymen

Friday’s clash between SBT and the TFA youngsters will decide the group’s qualifier, with the bankmen needing just a draw to go through after notching their second successive win in the four-team group.

A cloudburst threw question marks over the second match, not merely because of the trying underfoot conditions but more disconcertingly, the possibility of a short circuit to the floodlights.

But the organisers went ahead with the match as the weather cleared and both sides responded tremendously despite the unfavourable conditions.

Arif Ansari shot Central Railway into a shock lead in the 16th minute only for TFA to equalise through James Singh a minute before half-time.

Sanjib put the Academy ahead in the 57th before Prabhjot Singh scored from a controversial indirect free-kick in the 77th minute to swell the lead.

Central, showing fine character and spirit to sustain effort, reduced the margin in the 86th minute through Asif Jamal — a superb left-footer from 25 yards out that entered the far side of the goal.

MPT, a team shorn of its stars through injury, were on the wrong side of a 0-3 scoreline within 18 minutes. State Bank of Travancore finishing off most of the match’s competitive element with goals by Ignatius, Sunny and Lionel Thomas.

Skipper Salvador D’Cruz’s goal on the hour only salvaged some respectability to the score-line of a side soaking up a lot of pressure on their way from the Mini Rovers competition.

The Goan side, who conceded a last-minute equaliser to TFA in their opener, took the pitch without striker Vishant Pednekar, midfielder Caitan Pinho, striker Lino Pereira and two-goal hero Marshall Coutinho.

TFA SET THE PACE: There was no stopping enthusiasm stemming from young blood and the TFA lads, a last-gasp 2-2 draw against MPT behind them, went for broke from the start. The familiar bursts by Sanjib and James Singh had the railwaymen defending stoutly and the Mumbai side’s goal enjoyed a narrow escape as early as the fourth minute.

A courageous display by Central goalkeeper Raguveer Khanolkar was the highlight of the Mumbai side’s performance tonight and a timely block on the goalline from Sanjib Sheikh’s header prevented an early goal.

But Arif Ansari put Central ahead with a blistering left-footer that went off Prabhjot into goal much to the chagrin of goalkeeper Surojit Chaterjee.

Khanolkar was again in the thick of action, palming for a corner. A frenzy following the flag-kick saw a goal-line save amid a bundle of bodies. The resultant clearance nearly saw a goal at the other end through Asif Jamal.

Crowd pullers TFA struck a vital blow through James Singh with half-time beckoning. James scored with an angular grounder from Noel Wilson’s pass that came off defender Narendran’s foot.

Undettered by the slush, TFA swarmed forward for a win and Nitin Pradhan, setting a hot pace on the right flank went close soon after resumption. Khanolkar proved his worth yet again five minutes later to thwart the same striker. There was no denying TFA, though, and the side’s savior against MPT, Roque Barreto, paved way for the lead 12 minutes into the second half.He beat wing-half Dwen Sequeira, before sending a precise cross for Sanjib to connect into an open goal.

A disputed indirect free-kick in the 77th minute swelled the lead for TFA. Khanolkar blocked Pradhan once more but after collecting what looked to be a ricochet of defender Prakash Fernandes, Central were punished with an indirect free-kick for back-passing in the area.

Prabjhot found the roof after a simple tap by Wilson and TFA seemed to make it safe.

Central, now playing for pride as minutes ticked by, threatened through Augusto D’Silva before Jamal caused late anxiety for TFA — and perhaps the organisers, viewing the youngsters’ drawing power.