Spirited Kenkre FC come back to thwart ONGC

Kenkre FC put in an inspired second half display to hold last season’s runners up ONGC to a 1-1 draw in an Elite Division game held at Cooperage on Sunday, 20th September 2015.
The game was a tale of two halves as the first one was dominated by ONGC, while Kenkre had the better of the second one.
It took ONGC a good part of the opening quarter of an hour to get their game going against an organized Kenkre outfit.
But the oilmen stepped up the pressure as they made numerous surges into the Kenkre box.
Soon in the 32nd minute, ONGC made the pressure count when Kailash Patil did extremely well to head back a pin point cross from the right flank into the path of Parminder Singh who dispatched it into the roof of the net and put his side in front.
ONGC threatened to double the lead before the interval but Kenkre did well to stay in the game as they went into half time trailing to the Parminder Singh goal in the 32nd minute.
Inspired by some harsh words from Head Coach Salim Pathan, Kenkre came out of the blocks in the second half very quickly.
The quick start surprised ONGC who were forced onto the back foot by Kenkre. Taha Kachwala was causing plenty of problems for the ONGC rearguard with his darting runs in the box, but lack of a killer pass let him down.
Despite not enjoying any success in the first fifteen minutes of the second half,Kenkre kept up the tempo in attack.
Kenkre Head Coach Salim Pathan threw Arish Sutaria in the mix to add bite to the attack and his presence on the pitch, gave ONGC plenty to think about.
Finally in the 75th minute, Kenkre got the reward for their patience as Egypsio Noronha got Kenkre FC level with a truly astonishing strike from twenty five yards which flew over the ONGC custodian.
A lose clearance from a long throw-in from Kenkre fell to Noronha who skipped a couple of challenges before unleashing his shot.
Kenkre almost went into the lead a couple of minutes later, when a header from Arish Sutaria came off the upright. Fortunately for ONGC, it fell to their player who was able to clear the danger.
ONGC who had a chance to open up a two point lead over title rivals Air India who dropped two crucial points on Saturday, pressed hard for a winners in the last ten minutes, but Kenkre held firm and thanks to some neat goalkeeping from second half substitute goalkeeper Joe Paul Bence, Kenkre secured their first point of the season against their much fancied opponents ONGC.
Feature / Interviews / Santosh Trophy
Arif Shaikh reflects on Maharashtra’s performance in Hero Santosh Trophy campaign
Arif Shaikh, the striker for Maharashtra in the Hero Santosh Trophy, in an exclusive chat with us speaks about his team’s performance in the campaign, his experience playing under coach…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Defender Hardik Bhatt joins Mumbai City FC
Rajasthan United right-back Hardik Bhatt has reportedly joined Mumbai City FC on a loan deal for the rest of the season. According to reports, the deal involves a loan fee…
Mumbai Kenkre stun league leaders with late-winner
Mumbai Kenkre FC’s wait for their first points of the new year came to an end with a stunning 2-1 victory over Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Cooperage Stadium in…
MFA Elite Division Roundup: KSA maintains lead; India Rush earns first win of the season
The MFA Elite Division saw a flurry of action over the past couple of days, with several teams securing vital wins to keep their hopes of a top-three finish alive….
Lenny Rodrigues returns to FC Goa, Glan Martins leaves on loan
Goa, January 24, 2023: FC Goa have completed the signing of Lenny Rodrigues from fellow Hero Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan, the Club can confirm. The midfielder…
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa agree swap deal for midfielders
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa have reportedly agreed to a swap deal for midfielders Glan Martins and Lenny Rodriguez The exact opposite deal happened in January 2021 when Lenny…
MFA Roundup: Late Goals, Comebacks and Table Shuffling
A late goal helps Atlanta FC keep the winning streak intact, Silver Innings pick 2nd win of campaign, and PIFA secure a stunning come from behind win. Ambernath United Atlanta…
Hero Super Cup / Indian Super League
Kerala to host Hero Super Cup in April
NEW DELHI: The 2022-23 Hero Super Cup, featuring 16 teams in the Group Stage, will take place from April 8-25, 2023, in Kerala. Two of the three cities among Kochi, Kozhikode…
India U-17 / Indian Women’s Football Team
A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias
CHENNAI: Sonali Soren is certainly not a showstopper, who will force people to take a break and wait eagerly to follow her next movement. She is a simple young girl with…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Emotional to be back in the national camp after so long, says Bala Devi
The city of Chennai is currently a true confluence of India’s best talents in women’s football – the National camps for both the Seniors and the Under-20 probables are running…
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…
Elite Division / MDFA / 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…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…