Elvis Ozawara sizzles as PIFA Colaba prove too strong for Kenkre FC

by Kaushal Shukla January 20, 2015

PIFA Colaba came from behind to record a 4-2 win over Kenkre FC in an Elite Division game of the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) at Cooperage on 20th January 2015.

Elvis Ozawara was the star again for the Colaba side, as his brace helped them bag the three points.

Kenkre were back into Elite Division action after a long break. Their last appearance was in the RCF Premier Cup. PIFA Colaba on the other hand were fresh from a hard fought draw against Air India.

The game got off to a cracking start as Rigved Yeole stunned PIFA Colaba giving Kenkre FC the lead with a well taken goal in the 4th minute. But their joy was short lived, as PIFA Colaba came storming back into the game.

PIFA equalized through Elvis Ozawara in the 7th minute, as Zeeshan Shaikh finished after the goalkeeper had parried a shot in his path, a minute later to complete the turnaround as PIFA Colaba led 2-1.

The game was being played at a good pace and there were chances at both ends. Kenkre leveled the scores again in the 21st minute when Arvind Rajan bundled in from close range after receiving a pass from the left.

Six minutes later, Kenkre FC threatened again as Yash Mhatre drove into the PIFA box going past three defenders in the process. But his last touch was slightly heavy, allowing James Swamy the time to pounce and collect. It was a great bit of play from Yash Mhatre.

PIFA nearly took the lead in the 31st minute when Elvis Ozawara put his shot over after meeting a cross from Deep Morjani from PIFA’s right flank. It was a poor miss from the PIFA forward considering his own high standards.

Elvis Ozawara was in on goal again three minutes later, after beautifully picked out by a through ball. His toe poked effort was nicely saved by the Kenkre goalkeeper Saeesh A.V.

Kenkre’s Arvind Rajan brilliantly made his way through on goal after some intricate play, but he couldn’t finish off the move as he shot over.

Both teams went into half time level pegging at 2-2. It was an entertaining first half with plenty of goals and chances for both sides.

The second half started in similar fashion with both sides looking to get in front. But it was PIFA Colaba who took the lead through Deep Morjani in the 51st minute to put PIFA Colaba 3-2 ahead.

Elvis Ozawara almost got his second goal of the game four minutes later, when he attempted an audacious scissor kick after chesting down a cross from the left wing.

Kenkre FC were denied an equalizer by the heroic James Swamy in the 62nd minute, who produced a brave low save to deny Arvind Rajan. The Kenkre forward should have scored his second as it was a poor miss by him.

Kenkre brought on Arish Sutaria in place of Kamran Siddhique a minute later as they were looking to rescue a point from the game. In the 67th minute, Elvis Ozawara danced his way in the box to pick out Zeeshan Shaikh in the middle, whose shot was crucially blocked by the Kenkre defence. He was booked for a constant argument with the referee three minutes later PIFA Colaba killed the game with a fourth goal in the 75th minute, from the impressive Elvis Ozawara who was played in on goal as he made no mistake in the thumping the ball in the back of the net despite a fist from the Kenkre goalkeeper.

The goal deflated Kenkre FC as they failed to mount a fight back, giving PIFA Colaba another victory in the MDFA Elite Division.
PIFA Colaba had too much firepower for Kenkre FC in the end as the result was never in doubt since Zeeshan Shaikh pulled PIFA Colaba in front in the 8th minute, despite Kenkre taking the lead in the 4th minute.