Mohan Bhandari’s brace guides Dadar XI into the play-offs

by Prasad bhutkar January 22, 2016

Dadar XI  overcame DK Pharma by 2-0 in the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA), First Division match held on Firday afternoon at St Xavier’s ground Parel.

Dadar XI came into this match against DK Pharma knowing a win would help them qualify for the play-offs. Riding high on their win from the previous game.

Dadar boys were very quick to go in search of a goal from the very first minute. And they found the target in 7th minute when Mohan Bhandari netted giving them the lead. As the game progressed the game became even as DK Pharma looked for their equaliser that would put them back into the game. Number 14 Bhushan Patil made a run down the left cutting the right back before taking a right footed shot. The shot was on target and the Dadar keeper got a hand to it sending it out for a corner.

Another opportunity came few minutes later when Number 11 Tanuj Rathod did extremely well to beat the offside trap from the freekick before heading the ball wide of the left post. A very good chance to make it 1-1 that went begging. Number 14 Bhushan had a series of chances two of them coming very close to the end of the half. He did very well to beat his marker going down the right before dragging a cross which was saved by the keeper. The second glorious chance came moments later when a cross from the right back was headed goalwards only for the keeper to save it on the line. Dadar XI lead 1-0 at halftime but DK Pharma offered a fight going into haltime.

In the second half Dadar remained very organised keeping their defensive shape inviting pressure only to start a host of counter attacks. And one of them lead to the freekick which doubled their lead. Mohan Bhandari timed his run very well before taking a shot at goal into the right bottom corner. A much needed two goal cushion in the 79th minute. Any attempts from DK Pharma to get back into the game were thwarted by an astute Dadar XI defense.

The win means Dadar XI qualify for the MDFA First division playoffs in style. Mohan Bhandari could have scored a hattrick only for his runs to let him down as he was flagged offside many times. But nevertheless a complete team performance in a match they needed to win to qualify.