ONGC (Oil & Natural Gas Corporation) shook off a determined challenge from Kenkre FC Under-19 in a first round match of the Deserve Builder & Devolopers-RCF Premier Cup Football Tournament, organized by RCF Colony Boys Krida and Sanskrutik Mandal, which commenced at the RCF Colony ground, Chembur on Thursday evening.
A Sellebrity FC players (right) and a Nagpur FC player charge for the ball during their first round match .
The hero of ONGC’s win was striker Kevin Patrick who scored two goals while teammates Arjun Nayak, P. Lalchunwama and Dharmesh S., netted one each to secure their win and a place in the second round. For the Kenkre youngsters striker Alok Chauhan netted both the goals.
Meanwhile, outstation outfit Rajra Mines from Bhillai (MP) got the better of Dena Bank by a close 2-1 margin in a hard-fought first round clash. The visitors Rajra Mines were fortunate to take the lead following an own goal in the 25th minute and went into the break with a slender 1-0 advantage. On resumption, the Bhillai side doubled the lead when Shrikant B. found the back of the net in the 54th minute. Dena Bank fought on gamely and managed to reduce the deficit when Himanshu Patil scored in the 59th minute.
In other first round encounters, defending champions Air India overcame Century Rayon 8-7 via the sudden death tie-breaker after full time finished in a goalless stalemate. Nagpur FC, Nagpur also scrapped through as they got the better of Sellebrity FC 4-3 via the penalty shootout tie-breaker after the game ended in a goalless draw.
Results – Men’s (1st round): ONGC 5 (Kevin Patrick 2, Arjun Nayak, P. Lalchunwama, Dharmesh S) beat Kenkre Under-19 2 (Alok N. 2).
Rajra Mines, Bhillai 2 (Own goal, Shrikant B.) beat Himanshu Patil).
Air India beat Century Rayon 8-7 via the tie-breaker. Full-time 0-0.
Nagpur FC beat Sellebrity FC 4-3 via the tie-breaker. Full-time 0-0.
Women (1st round): Bodyline FC beat Kenkre FC 3-0.
Fr. Agnel SC beat Companeroes SC 2-0.