Mumbai Customs stun Indian Navy to make the semi-finals
On 26th November, 2015 Indian Navy’s winning run finally came to an end when they lost 8-7 to Mumbai Customs in penalties as both the outfit were tied at 1-1 after normal time in the Quarter-Finals of 109th RCF Nadkarni Cup Football Tournament 2015-16.
Indian Navy had to wait until 39th minute to take a deserving lead. Skipper GPK Sharma found the net from the edge of the box as his loose shot somehow beat the Custom’s goalkeeper.
Although Mumbai Customs equalized in the second-half. Rinaldo Fernandes showed a striker instinct when he brilliantly placed his effort into the net from Deepak’s cross.
Indian Navy continued where they left as they dominated the first-half. With Skipper GPK Sharma, Biplab Dhar and Bibake Thapa in fine touch, Mumbai Customs goalkeeper Lihaz Kaya was tested number of times in the first 45 minutes.
The deadlock was broken on 39th minute, when Indian Navy’s GPK Sharma saw his loose shot somehow beating Lihaz Koya as Indian Navy took a deserving lead.
Mumbai Custom’s star striker Rinaldo Fernandes had a fantastic game. Late in the first-half, Rinaldo’s left footed curler was well kept out by Indian Navy’s goalkeeper Vishnu.
Indian Navy went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The second-half was dominated by Mumbai Customs. Rinaldo Fernandes and Deepak Irmali’s duo caused serious threats to Indian Navy’s back four.
On 54th minute, Rinaldo Fernandes delivered a moment of magic. The number 10 danced past two Navy’s defender with ease, and popped a dangerous low cross into the box but Hekmat Singh unfortunately slipped which wasted a brilliant move for the Customs.
Four minutes later, Rinaldo Fernandes finally delivered a huge blow to Indian Navy when he wonderfully placed his effort into the box from Deepak Irmali’s low cross.
Mumbai Customs started to press Indian Navy, and almost found the winner when Deepak Irmali’s low cross was once again met by Rinaldo whose shot went just off the right hand post.
Both the teams were tied at 1-1 and had to be separated in the penalty shootout.
After 16 penalties, Mumbai Custom’s goalkeeper Lihaz Kaya proved to be the hero as he dived to his right to save Vishnu T’s spot kick to send Customs into the last four.
