Dena Bank score 2 goals in second-half to comeback against Mumbai Muslims 2-1

by Balbir Singh December 6, 2015

On the 4th of December 2015, Dena Bank featured against Mumbai Muslims in the Mumbai District Football Association (M.D.F.A.) Super Division group ‘B’ fixture at St. Xavier’s Ground, Parel. Dena Bank came from a goal down to beat Mumbai Muslims side 2-1 in a thrilling first encounter between these teams. Dena Bank no.10 Arfaat Ansari was the star-performer of the match, scoring 2 goals in the last-30 minutes of the match to complete the turnaround.

Dena Bank were duly credited with the win, and the manner in which they won made it more meaningful than it’d have been otherwise. Dena Bank started and concluded the game in a fairly high-spirit, what happened in-betwen will have a special mention in their season’s roundup. Dena Bank throughout the full-90 minutes pressed higher-up the field, an approach which didn’t win them the game, but nearly cost them the game if not for the two goals scored by Arfaat Ansari.

Throughout the match, Mumbai Muslims were confined into their own half. They didn’t have enough answers to dodge the press and create a passing outlet let alone nullify Dena Bank. Occasional half hearted counter attacks were dealt with ease by Dena Bank, who had a striker turned stopper in defence in no.17 Shaqib Ansari, who replaced the regular starter as the latter didn’t start due to dengue. On a similar counter attacking opportunity, Dena Bank slipped and stumbled to concede. Mumbai Police without a second thought pounced on the opportunity to capitalize and ease off some of the pressure. Afshan Shaikh fired a volley from close-range to give his side a much needed lead in the 31st minute.

Dena Bank relentlessly surged forward on every opportunity in believe to score a goal. Because, this was a situation they hadn’t prepared for, but were certainly equipped to tackle. Dena Bank received a corner in the 62nd minute, and no.10 Arafat Ansari, who earlier missed a headed chance in the first-half at 0-0 didn’t dare to miss, this time as he fired home the header after beating his marker to level the scoring, and go on to complete the inevitable comeback. But, that moment would have to wait until the 87th minute. Until, then Dena Bank received a series of threats from Mumbai Mumbai in the form set pieces.

As the game progressed into into its later stages, Dena Bank’s desperation for the winner grew and in the lure for the 2nd goal they committed men forward, so-much-so that on occasions, Dena Bank defenders where exposed numerically at the back, but some last ditch tackles saved them on the day.

What frustrated Dena Bank was Mumbai Muslims’ approach of sitting back and not playing for a winner. In one of many situations no.10 Arfaat Ansari found himself in space around the box throughout the game, this time it was complimented with a delightful and well timed pass, which he finished off teasingly in a 1 on 1 opportunity to give his side a deserved lead.

Dena Bank held on for reaming 3 +5 added minutes, but only just, because Mumbai Muslims came miraculously close to scoring the leveler through Rayyan Alayyer, whose shot swerved and dipped mid-air, but was heroically tipped over the crossbar at the very last moment by goalkeeper Asif Ansari.

In all, this match was a complete package for the spectators who in some considerable amount turned-up to witness this turnaround.