Air India maintained their impressive unbeaten record by defeating Income Tax 3-1, after the scores were tied 1-1 in the first half, during their concluding league match which ensured they regained the Elite (Corporate) Division crown of the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) League 2022-2023, and played at the Neville D’Souza ground, Bandra on Monday. Seasoned campaigner Santosh Koli (23rd min), consistent goal-scorer Arfat Ansari (64th min) and enterprising playmaker Harsh Utekar (90+1st min) scored a goal each for Air India while Income Tax pulled one back through Lalith Bangera (42nd min).
The high-flying Air India outfit on their journey registered 10 wins and a solitary draw, against Century Rayon, in the 12-team league to finish with an unassailable 31 points at the top and to emerge worthy champions. Century Rayon with 23 points from 10 matches and a game in hand against Income Tax are assured of finishing as runners-up.
The victorious Air India players, Head Coach Godfred Pereira, Assistant Coach Yusuf Ansari and Manager Subir Sinha are all smiles after emerging champions of the MFA Elite Division football championship 2022-2023
Income Tax put up a spirited fight against the former champions Air India and did well to keep pace with the leaders for the most of the first half. After much probing, Air India finally broke the Income Tax resistance in the 23rd minute when their reliable and dependable defender Koli headed home from a flag-kick to put his team in front.
Income Tax fought on gamely and minutes before half-time managed to restore parity with Bangera finding the back of the Air India net and to go into the break on level terms at 1-all.
After switching sides, Air India took the lead for the second time with Ansari putting the finishing touch after Utekar had provided a measured pass in the 64th minute. Utekar got on the scoresheet scoring the third goal in the first minute of additional period to complete a satisfying 10th win for Air India and ensure they finished on a high.
Earlier, in First Division play-off matches, Desperadoes FC riding on the double strikes from Aylmer Gonsalves went on to register an easy 4-1 win against Fr. Agnel Gymkhana. Mark Carvalho and Lionel Gonsalves scored the other two goals for the winning side while Harsh Kotian scored Fr. Agnel’s lone goal.
In the second match, India On Track drew with Don Bosco Academy 1-1. Joyson Chettiar scored for India On Track while Omkar Singh scored for Don Bosco Academy side.
Elite Div: Air India 3 (Santosh Koli, Arfat Ansari, Harsh Utekar) beat Income Tax 1 (Lalith Bangera).
First Div: India On Track 1 (Joyson Chettiar) drew with Don Bosco Academy 1 (Omkar Singh).
Desperadoes FC 4 (Aylmer Gonsalves 2, Mark Carvalho, Lionel Gonsalves) beat Fr. Agnel Gymkhana 1 (Harsh Kotian).