Arguments, tackles and finally, goals; St. Joseph and Dhobi Talao Boys ends 1-1

by Balbir Singh November 24, 2015

On 23^rd of November 2015, the Mumbai District Football Association (M.D.F.A.) Division 1 league game between St. Joseph and Dhobi Talao Boys ended 1-1 played-out at the St. Xavier’s Ground,  Parel. St. Joseph opened the scoring on 55 minutes through their captain no.23 Reynold Murzello, his counterpart no. 23 Mohsin A. Khan of Dhobi Talao Boys level the score-line from the penalty-spot with the last-kick of the game in the 4^th minute of 2^nd half added time.

The first-half ended goalless with neither side possessing the quality of breaking through each other’s defences. Although, both sides came agonizingly close to opening the goal-scoring charts in the first-half, but eventually failing to convert due to lack of a cohesive attacking effort.

The quality of football on display wasn’t pleasing either. The two teams tried to play a direct and end-to-end brand of football, but it was frustrating from a viewer’s point-of-view, who could rarely see an effective half-chance being created.

The first-goal did come 10 minutes into the second-half not from a one-two, through ball or natural build-up, but a brilliant dazzling run through the middle by St. Joseph’s captain no. 23 Reynold Murzello, who beat a hatful of players – manoeuvring past the midfield and defence band of Dhobi Talao Boys before beating the goalkeeper breaking the deadlock in some fashion.

As the game reached its final-stages, the pressure mounted on both sides, equally. While St. Joseph looked to maintain their one-goal lead and see the game through the full-time whistle they also tried to score another to give themselves breathing space.

Meanwhile, Dhobi Talao Boys didn’t give-up, and looked for half and quarter chances, which rarely came until the last-moment. A hand-ball appeal in the penalty box fell into their basket about which St. Joseph wouldn’t argue; the culprit was none other than Reynold Murzello himself, who handled the ball.

Mohsin A. Khan stood-up and took responsibility to convert the spot-kick and bring his team back on level-terms. His penalty went in, but only just as the St. Joseph goalkeeper got a good hand on it. The power of the shot was too much to handle for Mohnish Singh in goal.