Goals either side of half time, helps RCF overcome Western Railways

Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers registered a fairly comfortable 2-0 win over Western Railways in an Elite Division game of the MDFA at Cooperage on Boxing Day.
RCF and Western Railways were meeting for a second time in a month, having previously crossed swords in the Quarter Finals of the Nadkarni Cup earlier in the month. RCF were the winners that day with a late winner from Ubaid Ansari.
The game started slowly with both teams taking their time to settle into the game. It was Western railways who made the first real opening, when Arul Pawar played wide to Clayton D’Souya whose cross was cleared in time as Western Railways’ Charanjeet Singh tamely shot wide after latching on to the clearance.
Four minutes late it was RCF with their first real goal mouth action as Mainilungboy’s cross was headed over by RCF striker Raju Meetei. Mainilungboy was getting some joy on the left flank in the opening minutes.
The game was tight with both the teams giving very little away in the opening twenty minutes. The best chance of the game came in the 26th minute, when winger Mainilungboy’s shot went inches wide of the left hand side post. A minute later RCF threatened again as an intricate piece of play saw an RCF forward break into the box, but the Western Railways goalkeeper Grinto Antao did well to come of his line and collect.
RCF were getting plenty of joy going forward as Grinto Antao was called upon again in the 33rd minute when he brilliantly saved Raju Meetei’s effort on goal. But he was not be denied six minutes later, when his shot from the edge of the box went through the legs of the defender and into the right bottom corner. It was a brilliant finish from Raju Meetei and RCF were deservedly in front.
RCF missed a golden opportunity to double their lead in the first minute of stoppage time when Shahbaz Khan’s run was beautifully picked out by a chipped pass from the RCF midfield. But Shabaz Khan blasted over. It was a poor miss from the RCF forward.
Referee Rosario blew for half time as RCF went into the break in front. RCF were slightly the better team and deserved their lead. Western Railways needed to see more of the ball in the second half.
Western Railways made a bright start to proceedings in the second half with two corners in the opening two minutes. Western Railways’ Binoop M.K made a brilliant run and shot took a slight deflection as the RCF keeper made the adjustment to collect the ball in the 53rd minute.
Western Railways goalkeeper did brilliantly to punch clear a cross from Shahbaz Khan in the 61st minute, who was played in on the right flank by a through ball from Rambo Singh. The Western Railways goalkeeper was having a good day at the office.
RCF doubled their advantage seven minutes later, as Angaupu’s brilliant strike found the back of the net despite the Western Railways’ goalkeeper getting a hand to it. All of Grinto Anato’s work went in vain as he allowed the shot to go in. In this case, he should have done much better.
RCF were finding spaces as Western Railways went chasing the game. Raju Meetei did brilliantly to set up Rambo Singh who put his shot wide in the 71st minute. Good play from Raju Meetei though to create the opening.
Western Railways nearly pulled one back in the 73rd minute when Charanjeet Singh’s free kick was brilliantly kept out by RCF goalkeeper Vikarm Singh with his toes. At the other end, Grinto Antao again did brilliantly to deny Raju Meetei as he came off his line to tackle the forward at the edge of the box.
RCF substitute G.Kirean easily went past the last Western Railways defender but he fired his shot wide in the 77th minute. Poor miss especially after such a good burst of pace. Kirean went for power instead of placement and that was his undoing.
RCF are forced into making a change in the 88th minute as the injured Rambo Singh is replaced by Prakash Sonawane. RCF see out the remainder of the game to collect an important three points.
RCF were good value for their victory as they posed a constant threat to the Western Railways goal.
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 Weekly round-up: KSA maintains League lead, Atlanta FC keeps up the chase
It was another week of thrilling football action in the MFA league as fans were treated to a host of entertaining matches. The week started with Match 71 where Millat…
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 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…
Traditional powerhouses, unlikely upstarts and generous hosts set to clash in 76th Hero Santosh Trophy
NEW DELHI: The allure of the Santosh Trophy is undeniable, enduring over time — protest, partition, and pandemic mere hurdles surmounted by the weight of a pan-India tournament that hones young…
KSFA to revive Stafford Cup after 3 decades
The Stafford Challenge Cup, which is an important part of Indian football history since 1938, is all set to return after 30 long years as the Karnataka State Football Association…
Manolo Marquez: Yellow was fair but fourth official is not VAR
One of the big talking points of the game was Sanjeev Stalin’s booking, which referee Harish Kundu after consulting with the assistant referee had changed his initial Red into a…
India U20 / SAFF Women's Championship
Confident India begin SAFF U-20 Women’s C’ship campaign against Bhutan
DHAKA, BANGLADESH: The India U-20 Women’s National Team will depend on it’s mixture of youth and experience as they embark on their SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship campaign in Dhaka. India begin…
Clock ticking for Chennaiyin FC as they host Odisha FC in all-or-nothing encounter between playoff hopefuls
Odisha FC will be looking to propel themselves back into the playoff spots as they visit the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai to face Chennaiyin FC, who are also looking…
India U20 / Indian Women’s Football Team / SAFF Women's Championship
Hat-trick of substitutes as India run riot against Bhutan
DHAKA, BANGLADESH: It took them around 30 minutes to break the deadlock, but by then, the floodgates were already bursting at the seams. Three hat-tricks by as many substitutes capped off…
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…