10 Man Customs Earn A Point Against Air India

A spirited Mumbai Customs team earned a point against defending league champions Air India with a 1-1 draw in a MDFA Elite Division League match played at the Cooperage on Monday 10th Nov 2014.
Mumbai Customs, seemingly one of the in form sides in the division, made a fearless start, not giving Air India enough freedom to operate. It was a very cagey opening with the game being won and lost in the midfield in the early minutes.
The Airmen then decided to up the tempo a bit with Siddharth Nayak and Vijith Shetty doing a lot of running and supplying their strikers with some very good balls.
Air India came close at the half hour mark when Wayne Vaz putted a long ball from the defence to Neil Gaikwad on the right flank, he chased the ball and did well to play a cross to the top of the box for Jonychand Singh, whose feeble effort fell straight in the hands of Lihaz Koya but Jonychand wasn’t to be denied on his second attempt, as a few minutes later, Sagar Chile managed to hold off two Customs defenders to cut the ball back across towards Jonychand from the left, who unleashed a cracker to right of a hapless Koya in the Customs goal to hand Air India a vital goal, going into the break.
Mumbai Customs tried to get their act together in the second half but it was the the Airmen again who dominated the early stages of the 2nd half.
Air India had a penalty claim waved off by referee Firoz Ali in the 47th minute, when Siddhart made in roads towards the goal, playing a one two with Jonychand, as he moved inside the box Lihaz Koya misjudged his timing to meet the ball only to take Siddhart off his feet. Customs were very lucky to get away with the decision in their favour as the referee handed out a yellow card to Siddhart for simulation.
The game got evenly balanced with both teams attacking the opponents goal at regular intervals, Sagar Chile headed wide from a good cross from the right for Air India and Deepak Irmali came close to scoring for Customs in the 57th minute after he did brilliantly to control a long ball played in by Mathais Coutinho, and made his way towards goal beating the right back on pace but his shot was well saved by keeper Rahul Chanda.
A tactical move by coach Conrad Pereira saw Francisco Salin taking to the field in the 60th minute. The move paid dividends as Mumbai Customs began to play with a new found confidence, as he made some penetrating runs from wide positions, opening up the play for his team. One such move proved effective in the 67th minute, when a ball by Praneel Mendon was met by Francisco on the right, who got past the Air India left back and beat him to play a square ball towards Mathais Coutinho in the box. Mathais, on spotting the on rushing keeper laid the ball off unselfishly for Deepak Irmali, who powered home with a left footed shot.
Knowing they had a chance to snatch a point from the defending champions, Mumbai Customs began over committing with some reckless tackles and they were made to pay when they had Nafeez C sent off in the 75th minute for an unfair challenge, as he earned his 2nd yellow card of the game.
Customs had to see of the last 20 mins of the game being a man down and Air India took every opportunity of this advantage but failed to capitalize on their chances. Baldeep Singh went close after a lung bursting run down the right flank making his way inside the box, he took a rasping shot that unfortunately came off the post.
Anees CK squandered a golden chance after the hard working Jonychand played in a beautiful cross that Anees controlled well but fired his shot wide of the goal. Customs rallied for the last few minutes with some very good defending to hold Air India to a 1-1 draw.
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Transfer round-up: Naorem to ATK Mohun Bagan, Givson Singh to Chennaiyin FC
The January transfer window of the Indian football season is nearing its end. The winter transfer window is always an exciting time period in the Indian football season, with this…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Defender Hardik Bhatt joins Mumbai City FC
Rajasthan United right-back Hardik Bhatt has reportedly joined Mumbai City FC on a loan deal for the rest of the season. According to reports, the deal involves a loan fee…
10 men Kenkre hold table toppers RoundGlass Punjab in a 6-goal thriller
RoundGlass Punjab FC (RGPFC) were held by ten men Kenkre FC in a six-goal thriller in a Round 15 fixture of the Hero I – League 2022-23 season played here…
MFA Roundup: Late Goals, Comebacks and Table Shuffling
A late goal helps Atlanta FC keep the winning streak intact, Silver Innings pick 2nd win of campaign, and PIFA secure a stunning come from behind win. Ambernath United Atlanta…
India U-17 / Indian Women’s Football Team
A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias
CHENNAI: Sonali Soren is certainly not a showstopper, who will force people to take a break and wait eagerly to follow her next movement. She is a simple young girl with…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Kerala Blasters signs Bengaluru FC midfielder Danish Farooq
Kerala Blasters FC have completed the signing of midfielder Danish Farooq Bhat from Bengaluru FC, as per reports. The tuskers have reportedly paid an undisclosed transfer fee to Bengaluru FC…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Emotional to be back in the national camp after so long, says Bala Devi
The city of Chennai is currently a true confluence of India’s best talents in women’s football – the National camps for both the Seniors and the Under-20 probables are running…
Number 16 for Mumbai City FC as they beat Jamshedpur FC with a thrilling come back
Mumbai City FC extended their unbeaten streak in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) to a record-breaking 16 games after an extraordinary comeback victory over Jamshedpur FC at the JRD…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
FC Goa complete signing of defender Nikhil Prabhu
FC Goa have completed the signing of Nikhil Prabhu, the defender has put pen-to-paper on a one-a-half-year contract with the Gaurs, which will see him wear the Club’s iconic orange…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Didn’t know what a passport was till my first India call-up: Sunita Munda
Hardly anyone was surprised when Sunita Munda was called for the National camp for the AFC U-14 regional championship in 2016. Even before turning 14, Munda had proved to be…
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…
Elite Division / MDFA / 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…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…