MS Police edge Central Bank of India in an ill-tempered game in the MDFA Elite Division

by Kaushal Shukla February 2, 2015

Maharashtra State Police recorded a narrow 2-1 victory over Central Bank of India in a game which was overshadowed by three red cards and an extremely violent & unacceptable reaction from the CBI coach Nasir Hussain at Cooperage on 31st January 2015.

The marker was laid down quite early in the day, when both sides did not hesitate to go into go flying into tackles. The referee did well to not to reach out to his pocket so early in the game with a view of keeping the game competitive.

As both teams were settling into the game, CBI got themselves in front in the 12th minute as Johnson D’Silva fired home from the second attempt after he ran into the space behind the MS Police defence after a great one-two with a CBI midfielder.

MS Police who were at the wrong ends of two hidings in their previous two outings had to make sure they avoid yet another slump after falling behind early on against CBI.

MS Police nearly responded immediately as Akshay Shinde fired inches over the crossbar after breaking free in space at the edge of the CBI box three minutes later.

MS Police’s response since going a goal down was a good one and they came close to leveling the scores yet again in the 26th minute when Akshay Shinde’s volley from a rebounded free kick sailed just over the crossbar.

CBI should have doubled their lead in the 29th minute when Scorr D’Souza failed to tap in from close range in an almost empty goal after he met a low cross from the right flank.

As the game progressed it became extremely physical as plenty of tackles flew in, resulting injuries for both teams. CBI’s substitute Nadeem Khan was booked in the 35th minute, just minutes after coming on the pitch. Two minutes later MS Police’s Shahnawaz Shaikh found his name taken for another reckless tackle on the opposition player in the 37th minute.

Four minutes later, it was MS Police’s turn to miss an easy chance when Akshay Shinde failed to make a telling connection to a cross from Taufeeq Sayyad.

CBI held their goal advantage into the break as Johnson D’Silva’s strike in the 12th minute the difference between the two sides.

CBI put the ball in the back of the net in the 47th minute only for it to be disallowed for offside. Five minutes later, Faraz Shaikh nearly drew MS Police level as his finely struck free kick was touched on to the bar by CBI’s Sarfaraz Ansari.

But he wasn’t to be denied six minutes later when he bundled in from close range to get MS Police a much deserved equalizer. But MS Police suffered a blow just two minutes later when Shahnawaz Ansari was sent off for a second bookable offense

But despite being a man down, MS Police took the lead in a strange manner in the 68th minute. CBI goalkeeper came long way off his line to make a clearance, which he failed to execute properly meaning the ball fell to a to a MS Police midfielder who made an attempt on goal. Akshay Shinde did brilliantly to get his head to that shot to send a backward header into the goal and putting MS Police in front.

Three minutes later, CBI’s Nadeem Khan got his marching orders after collecting his second yellow of the game. The decision to send Nadeem Khan off seemed to spark outrage in the CBI camp and it specially bemused the CBI coach Nasir Hussain who came on the pitch and started abusing the referee.

Nasir Hussain totally lost his cool as he refused to end the argument and leave the pitch as a brawl took place on the field which also involved the CBI goalkeeper Sarfaraz Ansari swearing at the referee.

Things went totally out of control when the CBI coach held referee Rosario Fernandes by the scuff of his neck, abusing and threatening him. When Mr. David, a MDFA official tried to cool him down, Nasir Hussain rushed at him and pushed him away.

The behavior of coach Nasir Hussain was completely unacceptable and also classless. His behavior influenced CBI’s game in the remainder of the game as they got more physical and the game was turned into a battlefield, as Nasir Hussain was sent to the stands.

As the game entered its dying minutes, both MS Police and CBI made a few dangerous tackles which resulted in a yellow card for the CBI scorer Johnson D’Silva in the 78th minute.

MS Police were sitting back and absorbing all the pressure which CBI were putting on them. CBI’s Scott D’Souza and Melwin Vaz missed some good chances for CBI to level the scores, before their evening was up when Johnson D’Silva too was given his marching orders in the 89th minute.

MS Police nearly made it 3-1 in the first of the five stoppage time minutes when Akshay Shinde hit the upright from close range. MS Police managed to hang on for a win in a game where indiscipline and high tempers got the better of the teams.

The referee did make quite a few controversial calls, but he was not helped by the players who were more interested in a fight than a playing football.

Coach Nasir Hussain again created problems at the end of the game as he had to be dragged off the stadium after all the major officials from MDFA and WIFA came out of their offices to calm down the situation.