Yao Bernard’s late strike fires Kenkre FC into the semi-finals

by Kaushal Shukla November 24, 2015

Kenkre FC needed a late winner from Yao Bernard to edge 0-0 PIFA Colaba 1-0 in the first Quarter Final of the 109th Nadkarni Cup held at the RCF Sports Complex on Tuesday, 24th November 2015. Both teams missed penalties in the second half before the Ivorian decisively scored to send Kenkre FC in the semi-finals.

Kenkre and PIFA Colaba locked horns in Quarter Finals just five days ahead their meeting in the 2nd Division League.

Both teams were reluctant to field their best elevens as striker Yao Bernard was missing from Kenkre FC’s starting line up, while Sulaiman Sylla started on the bench for PIFA Colaba.

There was very little to choose between the two teams in the first half which had vey few chances for either side and was marred by the injury to Kenkre FC goalkeeper Narinder Singh at the end of the first half but the goalkeeper managed to recover and continue the game.

It remained goalless at the break as both teams lacked the invention in front of the goal.

The second half was a lot more open and PIFA Colaba were offered a great chance to take the lead in the 57th minute when the referee awarded PIFA a penalty for a foul on their attacker. Substitute Sulaiman Sylla stepped to take the penalty but only managed to strike the crossbar as Kenkre FC were let off the hook.

Kenkre FC were boosted getting that little slice of luck and Egypsio Noronha almost made PIFA pay as his mazy run saw him get past the PIFA defence line only to fire straight at the PIFA goalkeeper.

In the 70th minute, Kenkre won a penalty kick after a foul on Taha Kachwala but Ritesh Perambra’s spot kick was nicely saved by the PIFA Colaba goalkeeper as the elusive first goal evaded both the teams.

The game looked set to go the distance as both teams struggled to find the winner, although Kenkre FC looked the liklier of the two to get that goal.

The game needed a moment of inspiration and it was provided by Kenkre FC’s skilful winger Taha Kachwala who twisted and turned to create space for a cross which found the head of the Ivorian striker Yao Bernard who bundled home in the 83rd minute.

PIFA never really recovered from their penalty miss and the goal completely flatenned the Colaba outfit as Kenkre FC held on to take a place in the semi-finals of the 109th RCF Nadkarni Cup.