ONGC prevail in a penalty shootout win over solid Companerose

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) needed spot kicks to undo Companerose after a rearguard action saw Companeroes hold the much fancied ONGC to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes in the final quarter final game at the RCF Sports Club.
It took ONGC ten minutes to get a grip on the game as they started to push Companerose back in their own half and dictated most of the play. ONGC came close to opening the scoring the ONGC center back headed just over from a corner in the 17th minute.
Despite the ONGC dominance, it was Companerose who created the best opening when forward Nikhil Pal tackled an ONGC defender to win the ball in an encouraging position for Companerose, but the forward took too much time to shoot and ONGC defenders were able to get the ball back off him.
The game developed a set pattern as Companerose sat back absorbing all the pressure as ONGC controlled most of the ball possession. Companerose were extremely compact and at times had two lines of defences protecting their goal.
Companerose held their shape very well as ONGC rarely threatened Ankit Sawant’s goal as the referee Tapan Ghosh blew for half time.
Eight minutes into the second half, winger Nitesh Monde drew an error from the full back and crossed from the left flank, but it was neatly intercepted by Companerose’s Vikas Narkar.
ONGC started to pile on the pressure as they won a series of corners around the hour mark, but the mean Companerose defence dealt with the danger. ONGC brought on striker Enock Annan as they searched for the breakthrough. He almost made the difference in the 75th minute when he made space for a shot but fired it straight to the keeper.
A rare opportunity fell the Companerose’s way eleven minutes from time when substitute Arun Patil latches on to a clearance and plays in Fazil Sheikh who shoots just over. A warning sign for ONGC, who had thrown a lot of men forward in search of a winner and were almost found wanting at the back.
Companerose suffered a blow in the 87th minute as their rock solid center half Pratik Patil suffered an ankle injury. He had a fantastic game before the injury and it would have been a huge blow for Companerose to play out the remaining minutes without him. But he recovered and decided to continue.
With the game approaching stoppage time and the penalty shootout around the corner, Companerose made a change in goal as Wren D’Abreo replaced the impressive Ankit Sawant.
Penalties were indeed needed after the referee blew for full time and Companerose had done brilliantly to take the mighty ONGC to penalties.
After a short break, it was time for the nerve wracking spot kicks as it was Companerose who were shooting first. It was the skipper Nixon Rodrigues who stepped up, but his kick was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper who dived to his right to pull off a great save.
Bitola Prasad was next for ONGC who scored in the bottom left corner to put ONGC in front. The pressure was immense on substitute goalkeeper Wren D’Abreo who was going to take the second kick for Companerose. He failed to ease the pressure as he blazed his spot kick wide to leave Companerose with an uphill task. Next up was Vivek Kaira for ONGC. His shot in the center of the goal was brilliantly saved by Wren D’Abreo who put out a strong hand to stop the shot, as he instantly redeemed himself and also gave his side a lifeline.
Arun Patil stepped up for Companerose as drew them level as his shot in the bottom left corner had no stopping. But No. 28 Askar put ONGC in front again after a pin point spot kick left Wren D’souza unmoved. Mudassir Ansari leveled it up again for Companerose as he managed to beat the keeper who had dived in the right direction.
Nitesh Monde stepped up for ONGC and converted emphatically as his shot found the top left corner. Umair Sheikh who was the last of the five penalty takers had to score to keep the game alive and he did just that as he sends his kick to the top right corner.
This left ONGC an Enock Annan spot kick away from the semis, as he stepped up and scored an almost perfect penalty which went in of the right post and send ONGC into the semi-finals of the Nadkarni Cup.
It was more of relief than joy for ONGC who avoided an upset at the hands of Companerose who did themselves proud after more than matching ONGC for the ninety minutes.
ONGC play hosts RCF in the first semi-final on 3rd December.
Feature / MFA / Youth Football
D’souza Football Academy leaves a strong mark in MFA Award Nights for YPL 2023-24 season
D’souza Football Academy has once again solidified its position as a leading force in Mumbai’s youth football scene picking up 17 nominations and 3 wins in Individual award categories during…
Bright young talents shaping the future of Indian Football: ISL 2024–25 Season Wrap
The Indian Super League (ISL) has consistently served as a launch pad for India’s most promising football talent — from Sandesh Jhingan, Jeje Lalpekhlua to Sahal Abdul Samad, the platform has given…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Mumbai Premier League 2024-25: A Season in Numbers
The Mumbai Premier League (MPL) 2024-25 concluded in spectacular fashion with India On Track FC (IoT FC) dethroning the defending champions MYJ-GM on the final day, ending an exhilarating season…
Game on! BigHit presents Bundesliga Dream India Nationals head to Mumbai
The second edition of BigHit presents Bundesliga Dream India U13 & U15 National Finals, in association with The Football League, is ready to bring the heat to the Palava Football…
Iker Guarrotxena hat-trick powers FC Goa into Kalinga Super Cup quarter-finals
FC Goa marched into the quarter-finals of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 with a dominant 3-0 win over Gokulam Kerala FC courtesy of Iker Guarrotxena hat-trick. Spanish midfielder Iker Guarrotxena…
Punjab FC announces squad for Kalinga Super Cup ahead of their match against Odisha FC
Punjab FC, announced their squad for the Kalinga Super Cup ahead of their Round of 16 match against Odisha FC which will be played tomorrow at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Indian football mourns the loss of lives in Pahalgam terrorist attack
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) expressed condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. A minute silence was observed in the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 in remembrance On…
South United FC Announces Trials in Pune for their Residential Academy in Bangalore
South United Football Club has announced its next set of trials for its new Residential Academy, which will be held in Pune. The trials will take place at the Club’s…
Corporate Football / MFA Elite Corporate League / Trials
Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign
Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…
India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season
The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season
Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…
VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season
Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…
MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season
With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…
Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents
Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…
Mumbai Super League club Charkop FC to conduct open trials for upcoming Season
Calling all aspiring football stars! Charkop FC, a MFA super division club based in Charkop, Kandivali, is set to conduct Open Trials for the upcoming season. About Charkop FC: In…
Academy / Football Academy / Trials
Mumbai 42 Football Academy to conduct trials for Youth players
Newly established Mumbai 42 Football Academy will be conducting trials for young footballers in the upcoming week.
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…