Outstation outfit Nagpur FC, Nagpur and local contenders Mumbai Customs marched into the semi-finals by comfortably winning their respective quarter-final round matches of the Deserve Builder & Devolopers-RCF Premier Cup Football Tournament, organized by RCF Colony Boys Krida and Sanskrutik Mandal, and played at the RCF Colony ground, Chembur.
The visiting Nagpur side put up a fighting performance and managed to prevail over PIFA Colaba FC by a 2-0 margin. Striker Vaishnav Yadav scored the opening goal in the 24th minute to put the Nagpur side in the lead. In the second half, the action was evenly balanced as PIFA tried hard to find the equalizer which proved elusive. The visitors scored their second at the death when Akshay Pasilkar found the mark in the third minute of regulation period.
Earlier in the day, Customs produced a good organized display and went on to record a convincing 2-0 win against another visiting team Rajra Mines, Bhillai (MP). Customs struck once in each half, with Rinaldo Fernandes hitting the target in the 11th minute before their most experienced striker Francisco Salin doubled the lead with a clinical strike in the 57th minute to seal their win and a berth in the semi-final.
Results – Men’s (quarter-final): Mumbai Customs 2(Rinaldo Fernandes, Francisco Salin) beat Rajra Mines, Bhillai 0.
Nagpur FC 2 (Vaishnav Yadav, Akshay Pasilkar) beat PIFA Colaba FC 0.
MDFA Chairman Aditya Thackeray to inaugurate floodlights at St. Xavier’s ground, Parel
After many decades the St. Xavier’s ground, Parel will give footballers from Mumbai an opportunity to play their matches under floodlights. The newly installed High-Mast floodlights erected at the ground would be officially inaugurated by Shri Aditya Thackeray, Chiarman MDFA at a function on Monday, December 19 at 6.30 pm. All clubs affiliated to the MDFA are requested to send their representatives – owners, administrators, officials and players to be present on the occasion.