Last year’s runners-up Air India overcame U. Mumba 8-7 via the sudden death tie-breaker in an Elite Division semi-final match of the Rustomjee-MDFA League 2018-2019 and played at the Neville D’Souza ground, Bandra on Thursday. The match finished in a goalless draw and 4-all at the end of five shots in the tie-breaker.
The former champions Air India faced a strong challenge from the debutants U. Mumba before hold their nerves in the tense penalty shootout duel.
For Air India seasoned campaigner Vijith Shetty converted from both his attempts while Shubham Mane, Elvis Rodrigues, Sumesh Nair, Suraj Negi, Shravan Shetty and Allan Dias, all successfully converted to complete Air India’s win. U. Mumba scored through Akshay Parhilkar, Daniel Muthu, Nachiket Patil, Pritam Jadhav, Digvijay Yadav, Henderson Dias and Toheed Khan.
In the first semi-final played on Wednesday, Mumbai Customs defeated Central Bank of India 3-0.
Air India will clash with Mumbai Customs in the final on Saturday, May 4 at 4.00pm at the Cooperage football ground.
Results – Elite Div (semi-finals): Air India 8 (Vijith Shetty 2, Shubham Mane, Elvis Rodrigues, Sumesh Nair, Suraj Negi, Shravan Shetty, Allan Dias) beat U. Mumba 7 (Akshay Parhilkar, Daniel Muthu, Nachiket Palav, Pritam Jadhav, Digvijay Yadav, Henderson Dias, Toheed Khan) via the tie-breaker. Full-time: 0-0, Tie-breaker: 4-4.’