Spirited Hiraai Suns earn shootout success against Leaders Brainy World

by Kaushal Shukla May 3, 2015

Hiraai Suns recorded a 3-2 penalty shootout win over League Leaders Brainy World after they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 after regulation time in the Colaba Super League game held at the Back Garden’s Ground on Sunday afternoon.

Hiraai Suns fresh from their penalty shootout win on Friday started brightly in the opening exchanges and should have taken the lead on 7 minutes when Sudarshan Kamat’s rather tame header off a Nitin Rao cross was saved by Manish Bhoir.

Hiraai Suns continued to dominate the League Leaders and Manish Bhoir was once again called into action when he had to be alert to save a drilled effort from Deepak Kanojia low to his left in the 15th minute.

But four minutes later, Chetan Tandel stunned Hiraai Suns when his stunning strike sailed into the top corners, giving Brainy World the lead against the run of play.

The goal changed the course of the game as Brainy World started to grow into the game and came close to a second goal when Bhavik Tandel fired over after a quick counter attack saw him in space in Hiraai Suns’ half in the final minute of the half.

Brainy World went into half time with their noses in front despite being second best to Hiraai Suns for most parts of the half.

Hiraai Suns started the second half well and were rewarded just six minutes into the second period when Prakash Khatti toe poked a loose ball into the back of the net to bring Hiraai Suns level.

Brainy World were awarded a penalty in the 48th minute after goalkeeper Vikas Gupta brought down Hemant Meher in the box. Chetan Tandel stepped up and converted the spot kick to put Brainy World 2-1 up.

But three minutes later, Hiraai Suns were awarded a way back into the game when referee pointed to the spot after a Brainy World defender handled the ball in the box. Valentine Pereira did the needful and dispatched the spot kick to draw Hiraai Suns level at 2-2.

The game got completely opened up as both teams went in search for a winner.

Chetan Tandel unleashed a thunderbolt of an effort in the 53rd minute which was brilliantly saved by Vikas Gupta to deny Chetan Tandel his hat-trick.

In the penalty shootout, Sudarshan Kamat set Hiraai Suns on the way after he squeezed his kick in. Chetan Tandel brought Brainy World level after an emphatic penalty.

Aftab Khan scored another close penalty which was nearly saved by Manish Bhoir as Hiraai Suns regained the lead.

Hemant Meher then restored parity for Brainy World with a perfect penalty kick. But Hiraai Suns were ahead again when Valentine Pereira converted his spot kick.

But unfortunately for Brainy World, Rupesh Meher blazed his penalty wide to give Hiraai Suns two points as Brainy World had to settle for just a point.

Brainy World remained top of the table temperorily after having seven points in three games.