Dominant Air India too good for spirited Central Bank of India

by Kaushal Shukla November 8, 2015

Champions Air India showed their superiority as they undid a spirited Central Bank of India 3-0 in an Elite Division game of the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) held at Cooperage on Wednesday, 4th November 2015.

The defeat ended Central Bank of India’s unbeaten start to the season, but the young CBI side made the Champions sweat for the three points.

CBI were set up to frustrate Air India as the Champions gained control right from the outset. CBI managed to ristrict Air India to very few chances in the opening 15 minutes but struggled to get out of their own half.

However all their defensive hard work was undone in a rather sloppy fashion when Neil Gaikwad headed home a flick on from a throw-in taken long in the 17th minute.

But the CBI youngsters did not caputiluate under the growing Air India pressure and managed to keep Air India at bay.

CBI made their first venture at the Air India goal in the 30th minute when experienced campaigner Russel Galbano spun clear in midfield to get into the box but his shot after failing to spot any targets in the box failedto trouble the Air India goalkeeper.

Air India came close when a good move saw them fire a shot dangerously across the face of the goal, but the ball evaded all the runners who made the run in the box.

CBI went into the break with just a one goal deficit but offered little threat of their own in the first half.

Air India started the second half with a lot more purpose in their play and forced a brilliant save out off the CBI goalkeeper in the 58th minute, just a few minutes after Air India missed a glorious chance to double their lead.

However the Champions did make their effort in the 60th minute when Neil Gaikwad’s brilliant cross rebounded off the left hand side post and fell in Sunny Thakur’s path who bundled his shot home and doubled Air India’s lead.

Eight minutes later, Raynier Fernandes ended the game as a constant as he drilled his shot home after making a darting run at the heart of the CBI defence.

But the Bankers gave a good account of themselves and avoided a real bashing. CBI’s gutsy performance against the champions were testimony of how far the Bankers have progressed this season.

Air India on the other hand, moved to within two points of leaders Indian Navy at the top of the table adding a bit of spice to the Elite Division as the table begins to take shape.