Scrappy PIFA Colaba see off wasteful MS Police

by Kaushal Shukla March 22, 2015

PIFA Colaba saw off Maharashtra State Police 1-0 in after a first half goal from Elvis Ozowara secured the points for PIFA Colaba in an Elite Division game of the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) at the Goans Sports Association Ground on 21st March 2015.

PIFA Colaba who were still feeling the heat of the 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Western Railways took a while to get into their rhythm. But as the game passed the first quarter, PIFA Colaba tightened the grip on the game and started putting some pressure on the MS Police rearguard.

PIFA got their breakthrough in the 30th minute when their Nigerian front man, Elvis Ozowara fired them into the lead. The goal had been coming since PIFA were the dominant team in ten minutes leading to that goal.

PIFA continued to call the shots in the game but failed to increase their lead before half time but went into half time with a slender advantage.

The MS Police came into the second half with a lot more purpose in their play and nearly had their reward in the 53rd minute, when Himket Dembre latched on to a lobbed pass but failed to finish from six yards out after failing to add enough venom behind the shot.

The game became very sloppy after the hour mark as both teams gave the ball away too cheaply. There were very few chances for either side after both teams were struggling to find their best form.

With just ten minutes left on the clock, MS Police missed a great chance to score when Akshay Shinde failed to reach a cushioned pass from Himket Dembre. The pass was crying out to be finished but Akshay Shinde couldn’t be at the right place at the right time.

Just a minute later, a long ball caught the PIFA defenders flat footed as Himket Dembre escaped his marker but couldn’t apply the finishing touches as his shot sailed over.

PIFA endured a nervous end to the game as MS Police grew in belief. Right at the end of the four stoppage time minutes, MS Police won a free kick in a promising area, but they failed to make it count as it was hit straight to Rahul Yadav in goal for PIFA Colaba.

The win strengthened PIFA Colaba’s grip on the second spot and also helped them ease the memories of that 6-0 thrashing as their preparations for the 2nd Division of I-League gathered pace.
MS Police condemned to their sixth defeat of the campaign as they sat in the 11th place, just four points clear of safety.