MDFA Div-2 football
Former champions Air India ( AI) were lucky to earn a point as they scored a late equalizer in the final minute to salvage a 1-1 draw with a spirited Bank of India in an Elite Division match of the Rustomjee-MDFA League 2018-2019 and played at the Mumbai Football Arena (Andheri Sports Complex).
Underdogs Bank of India ( BOI) produced another superb fighting performance and goalkeeper Sanjeev Verma was outstanding as he saved two penalties in the second half to deny Vijith Shetty and Scott D’Souza from finding the net in the second half. Mid-way through the second period Bank of India were reduced to 10-man when defender Shailesh Jadhav picked up a second yellow card.
Earlier, after a barren first half, Bank of India took the lead through Rishik Shetty in the 53rd minute. But, Verma who saved the penalties was finally beaten by D’Souza who scored the equalizer.
Meanwhile, Sheldon Sharma’s netted the decisive winning goal which helped Soccer Raiders Renaissance overcome Air India Western Region by a 1-0 margin in a Second Division match.
In another match of the same division, Miners SC took an early lead through Tejas Ghule’s fourth minute strike and then defended well to pull off a narrow 1-0 win against Charkop FC.
Results – Elite Div: Bank of India 1 (Rishik Shetty 52nd) drew with Air India 1 (Scott D’Souza 90th).
Second Div: Soccer Raiders Renaissance 1 (Sheldon Sharma) beat Air India Western Region 0.
Naval Dockyard 0 drew with Poinsur Gymkhana 0.
Miners SC 1 (Tejas Ghule) beat Charkop FC 0.