Dominant Central Bank of India ease past lacklustre PIFA Colaba

by Kaushal Shukla September 22, 2015

Central Bank of India produced a solid performance to see off a listless PIFA Colaba outfit 2-0 in an Elite Division game of the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) held at Cooperage on Monday, 21st September 2015.

CBI started the game well and saw majority of the ball in the opening exchanges, without working the PIFA Colaba goalkeeper. But the Bankers were able to maintain the pressure on the PIFA Colaba rearguard which forced an early booking for Chirag Walmiki in the 5th minute.

CBI’s dominance finally bore fruit in the 29th minute when CBI’s Russell Galbano was picked out by a cutback from the right flank, before the CBI No 8 sent a dipping effort over the PIFA goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

CBI were full value for their lead and PIFA Colaba were struggling to stem the flow of CBI’s attacks. But thanks to some sloppy play for the Bankers in front of goal, they went into the break with just a one goal advantage.

PIFA came out a much better outfit in the second half and made many endeavours on the CBI goal, but lack of match sharpness meant the Colaba outfit lacked the cutting edge to open up a stern CBI defence.

As PIFA became more and more desperate to bag the equalising goal, they became vulnerable to CBI’s Counter attacks, one of which culminated in a second goal for CBI in the 84th minute, when Royston Viegas headed home an Andrew Bututhello cross to seal the points for CBI.

PIFA Colaba offered little fight after going two goals down as CBI closed their maiden win of the season. PIFA Colaba looked a shadow of the side which looked like scoring every time they went up the pitch and will need to work on their match fitness if they are to meet their own high standards.

For CBI though, wins against teams like PIFA is a rare occurrence, but having achieved it with relative ease, they will now be looking to use it as a spring board to rise to greater heights this campaign.