Sensational Western Railways comeback floors ONGC

Western Railways staged a stunning comeback to shock heavyweights ONGC in a 3-2 win in the Elite Division of the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) at Cooperage on Friday, 22nd May 2015. The loss dented ONGC’s title hopes giving Air India the edge in the race for the title.
The game got off to a bright start as ONGC had a great chance to take the lead in the very first minute when Parminder Singh who managed to get behind the Western Railways defense and cut back to Akshar V.S who failed keep his shot on target.
Four minutes later, Anil Pawar very nearly picked out Charanjeet Singh at the other end with a cross from Western Railways’ right flank.
But it was ONGC who made the breakthrough in the 7th minute when Karan Atwal beautifully picked out Parminder Singh’s run with a long pass, allowing the ONGC forward to keep his composure and fire past Jagroop Singh in the Western Railways goal.
Western Railways had a great chance to script a perfect response just two minutes later, when the ONGC defence switched off in anticipation of an offside flag which never came, allowing Kenistan C. a free run at goal only to see his final effort past an onrushing Ubaid C.K bounce wide of the target.
ONGC were the sharper of the two sides in front of goal, as the railwaymen seem to lack a cutting edge in attack in the early parts of the game.
That extra sharpness in ONGC’s play was rewarded in the 29th minute when some neat work from Parminder Singh set Kailash Patil free on the right wing. The ONGC skipper kept sent in a pin point cross which was put away by Parminder Singh to put his side 2-0 up with his second goal of the game.
The second goal slightly deflated Western Railways as ONGC took control on proceedings and threatened to run away with it. But a loss of concentration in the ONGC midfield, allowed Western Railways to raid them and slip a ball through to Charanjeet Singh who made no mistake in reducing the deficit leaving the game brilliantly poised at 2-1 at half time.
Buoyed by their late first half strike, Western Railways started the second half on the front foot but missed two glorious opportunities in the opening ten minutes of the second half to get on level terms.
But they weren’t to be denied an equalizing goal in the 64th minute when substitute Clayton D’Souza sweetly controlled a pass at the edge of the box and drill it into the bottom corner beyond Ubaid C.K’s reach.
ONGC who were shell-shocked by the Western Railways fight back, brought on experienced Dharmesh Patel in place Tarif Ahammad just before Jagroop Singh had done brilliantly well to deny substitute Nitesh Monde to regain the lead for ONGC.
But it was Western Railways who took the lead in the 74th minute when a regulation cross from the right flank found its way to Kenistan C. who in his second attempt controlled it to slot past the ONGC goalkeeper and complete a stunning comeback and put Western Railways 3-2 up.
Despite ONGC’s efforts in the dying minutes of the half they failed to conjure up an equalizer as Western Railways recorded a memorable victory which severely dented ONGC’s title bid.
Western Railways brilliantly pounced on rare defensive errors from ONGC and managed to match them on the day, resulting in this huge upturn in the MDFA Elite Division.
Senior Women's NFC / Women Football
Urvi and Sakshi shine as Maharashtra clinches second win of Senior Womens NFC
Second half goals from Urvi Salunkhe and Sakshi Hiwale gives Maharashtra a convincing 2-0 victory against Bihar in the ongoing 28th Senior Women’s National Football Championship. Coming on the back…
Spurs in India: Tottenham Hotspur legends Ledley King and Ossie Ardiles to visit Mumbai and Bengaluru
Tottenham Hotspur legends Ledley King and Ossie Ardiles will be visiting India to support a series of events and activities arranged by the Club to engage with fans and promote…
Feature / MFA / MFA Super League / Recommended
Parel’s Pride: Soccer Saga FC’s inspiring climb in Mumbai’s Football Hierarchy
In the bustling heart of Parel, Mumbai, a footballing revolution quietly took root in 2016 when Soccer Saga FC was born. What started as a humble initiative aimed at nurturing…
Hemang Jadhav’s late goal gives Young Guns 1-0 win over Spartans in nail-biting clash
A second half goal from skipper Hemang Jadhav gives Young Guns (Rhema) a hard fought win as the club jumps to 2nd spot in the league table on par on…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Mumbai Premier League: Maharashtra Oranje FC claims 4-0 win over JMJ SC
In a surprising turn of events during the Mumbai Premier League encounter, Maharashtra Oranje FC secured a 4-0 win against JMJ SC, but not in the manner they had hoped…
Senior Women's NFC / Women Football
Samrudhi Katkole stars with hat-trick as Maharashtra beat Himachal Pradesh 6-0 in Senior Womens NFC
A hattrick from Samrudhi Katkole and a brace from Aishwarya Jagtap help Maharashtra continue its winning form with a resounding 6-0 triumph over Himachal Pradesh in the ongoing Senior Women’s…
Indian football on the brink of history, agree AIFF president and Arsene Wenger
MUMBAI: AIFF President Mr. Kalyan Chaubey, and FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Mr. Arsene Wenger addressed the media in the city the day after India’s FIFA World Cup Qualifier Round…
MFA Super League: Maharashtra Oranje FC (U23) secures dominant 3-0 win over ICL Youngstars
In a riveting MFA Super League encounter, Maharashtra Oranje FC (U23) rode on super sub Vivek Tiwari brace and a goal from Rahul to pick a comprehensive 3-0 victory against ICL Youngstars side.
Hyderabad FC hopes to start afresh as Sea of Yellow awaits to welcome them against KBFC
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 action returns to the hotbed of footballing fandom as the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi will witness the clash between the Kerala Blasters FC…
Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal FC seek timely revivals as ISL action resumes post international break
Chennaiyin FC will host East Bengal FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, November 25, 2023, as the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 action after international break….
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…