Last year’s runners-up Air India rode on the twin strikes from Sumesh Nair to script a 3-1 win against Kenkre FC in an Elite Division Group-B play-off match of the Rustomjee-MDFA League 2018-2019 and played at the Neville D’Souza ground, Bandra on Friday.
Sumesh the livewire in the Air India attack struck the opening goal in the 22nd minute, but 10 minutes later Kenkre restored parity when Bharat Thapa scored in the 32nd minute. Air India quickly regained the lead when Sumesh once again hit the target in the 35th minute to double the lead and give Air India a 2-1 half-time advantage.
Air India increased their lead courtesy an own goal scored by Kenkre’s Jordan Koli in the 67th minute.
Air India has completed their matches with six points from two wins and a defeat. Central Bank also has six points from two wins and has a match in hand against Kenkre who has three points from their win against G.M. Sports Club. G.M. Sports lost all three matches in the group.
Results – Elite Div play-offs: Air India 3 (Sumesh Nair 22nd, 35th, OG-Jordan Koli 67th) beat Kenkre FC 1 (Bharat Thapa 32nd)