Strong contenders Mumbai FC survived a late fight back from Mumbai Customs to snatch a close 3-2 win in a semi-final round match of the MDFA (Mumbai District Football Association) Nadkarni Cup (knock out) Football Tournament, organised and sponsored by RCF and played at the RCF ground, Chembur on Saturday afternoon. N.P. Pradeep, Eric Brown and Karan Sawhney were on target for Mumbai FC, while Mumbai Customs scored twice inside the last 10 minutes through Deepak Irmali and Rinaldo Fernandes.
Former champions Mumbai FC, who had last won the title in 2011, will now challenge defending champions Air India in the final slated for Monday, November 30 at 2.00pm.
Mumbai FC got off to a perfect start with defender Pradeep heading home from close in the 3rd minute. Following John Coutinho’s flag-kick Cletus Paul head towards goal and an alert Pradeep darted in to guide the ball into an open net. A further 20 minutes later, medio Brown made a decent run down the middle before unleashing a snap low shot which bounced in front goalkeeper Lihaz Koya and went in.
Enjoying a 2-0 advantage at the break Mumbai FC continued to hold the upper hand on resumption and consolidated their lead when substitute Karan Sawhney chased a long through ball and then cut past Koya before slotting the ball into the back of the net in the 64th minute.
However, Mumbai FC unnecessarily went through some anxious moments as they conceded two soft goals. First a misunderstanding allowed Irmali strike for Customs in the 83rd minute before Fernandes snatched another goal in the final minute.
But, thereafter, Mumbai FC made certain of not conceding another goal to clinch a win and a place in the title round.
Results (semi-final): Mumbai FC 3 (N.P. Pradeep 3rd, Eric Brown 23rd, Karan Sawhney 64th) beat Mumbai Customs 2 (Deepak Irmali 83rd, Rinaldo Fernandes 89th).