Air India Ride On Wayne Vaz’s All Important Goal To Beat Union Bank Of India
Air Indian edged out Union Bank of India 1-0 in the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) Elite division league match played at Cooperage on Friday.
There has always been a healthy rivalry between Union Bank of India and Air India, with a history that has always seen the top performers of UBI being recruited in Air India. The likes of Steven Dias and Vijit Shetty in the past and Rohel Shaikh and Mervin Stephen this year, all products from the UBI setup.
UBI Coach Julian D’silva motivates his players with such positive energy that they give their hearts out while playing against a team like Air India. Being a more of a young and inexperienced side this season, the thought process of facing the defending league champions in their very first game certainly took them off .
Air India dominated the first half with many shots on target but were unable to break the deadlock, the best chance for Air India came in the 18th minute, when a good move on top of the box ended up with a through ball for Sagar Chile, he took a touch forward and shot it straight onto the post, to all amusement referee Cajetan Dias whistled for a goal, shocked by this officiating error, the UBI players protested the desicion but having confirmed with linesman Sidharth Shrivastav, the referee disallowed the goal and play continued.
UBI centreback Tejas Raut had a busy day at the office, as he blocked off Air India’s attack on various occasions and stood tall in the UBI defence, keeping his team in the game. Union bank then came up with an attack of their own in the 38th minute, when Aaron D’Costa initiated a scoring move by playing a ball across to Chetan Tandel, who nicely positioned himself in the box and decieved the Air India defence with a clever back heel pass to Shannon Pereira who fired a rasping shot past the Air India goalkeeper only to be denied by the cross bar.
After making a few goal scoring attempts, finally Air India took their chance in 44th minute, when a corner kick taken by Yogesh Rawat was cleared away by the UBI defence only for the ball to fall at the feet of Wayne Vaz, who controlled well and drilled a shot into the back of the net. Air india were much relieved going into the lemon break with a 1 goal lead
In the 2nd half UBI got back into the game much more confident and kept more of the ball possession. Whereas Air India kept stacking up their missed chances, UBI later came close to grabbing an equalizer, a wonderful cross by Pratik Koli provided an opportunity for Manish Koli, who put his shot well wide of the Air India goal.
Union Bank looked menacing in the closing moments of the game, in injury time Pankaj Koli played a good through ball along the ground which beat the entire Air India defence, Pratik made a clever run to anticipate the ball but Air India goalkeeper Rahul Chadha did well to come off his line and collect the ball bravely denying UBI a last gasp equalizer.
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC’s decisive away game ends in a draw against United SC
A late goal from Sanchit Singh gave MH Oranje FC a breath of fresh life with the draw ensuring the relegation battle against United SC continues till the final day…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJGMSC Crowned Champions with a dramatic win over MH Oranje FC
In the heart of Mumbai’s football scene, MYJGMSC achieved a remarkable feat by becoming champions of the Mumbai Premier League in their debut season itself. This is no small accomplishment,…
MH Oranje FC Gears Up for a Final Push in the MFA Premier League
MH Oranje FC’s Intense Final Stretch: Pursuing MFA Premier League Glory As the MFA Premier League 2023-24 season reaches its climax, MH Oranje FC is gearing up for an intense…
Indian Super League announces tentative venues for the 2023 – 2024 Final
Mumbai, April 23: The Indian Super League (ISL) today announced that the 2023-24 season final scheduled on Saturday, 4th May will be played at the home ground of the higher ranked team in the…
Odisha FC strike first blow with 2-1 comeback win in semis against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Bhubaneswar, April 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the first leg of their semi-final fixture…
Intrigue and rivalry heats up as FC Goa bank on positive momentum to stop Mumbai City FC in their tracks
Goa, April 23: FC Goa will host Mumbai City FC in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on April 24, Wednesday, at 7:30…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…