Pratik Koli’s brace helps Union Bank of India to see off Central Bank of India

by Siddharth Yadav January 30, 2016

Union Bank of India (UBI) continued their fine form after a commendable 2-1 win over Central Bank of India (CBI) in their Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) clash at Cooperage Stadium on a heated Saturday afternoon.

Pratik Koli opened the scoring for Union Bank of India on the 23rd minute, but midway into the second-half Andrew Burthelo equalized for Central Bank of India (CBI) to reignite their hopes for making a sensational comeback.

But UBI’s Striker Pratik Koli had different plans, the number 10 scored once again twenty minutes from time to register back to back wins for UBI.

The first-half was a dull affair, as both UBI and CBI took their time to settle into the game. The hot humid weather unfortunately played its parts, prior to the kick-off the Referees decided to give players a much needed ‘water-break’ midway into both the halves.

It took UBI just 22 minutes to open the scoring. Shravan Shetty was set up on the right flank, where the number 9 beautifully provided a peach of a ball towards Pratik Koli, who poked the loose ball into the empty net to break the deadlock.

UBI’s midfield were turning out to be much superior towards CBI. Valentine Pereira, Mrunal Tandel, Royston D’Souza played an intergral part in the midfield to break CBI’s momentum.

Early in the second-half, UBI’s Dion Menezes was booked for a harsh challenge on Melwyn Vaz, the latter showed a good glimpse of his skills to went past couple of defenders.

On the 61st minute, CBI equalized out of nowhere when a scrappy defense of UBI failed to deal with CBI’s corner. Andrew Burthelo took a great advantage and volleyed his effort into the back of the net to tied the score at 1-1.

Central Bank of India’s joy was short lived just after six minutes. Pratik Koli once again proved lethal in front of the goal when the striker scored after a mix up in CBI’s defense, which gave him enough time to bury his shot into the empty net.

Few minutes later, CBI’s Melwyn Vaz failed to turn a great opportunity into goal when his delayed shot was comprehensively saved by Sheldon Raghawan.

On the 86th minute, Hiten Mahida came twice close to score when he saw his effort rattled the bar and header being cleared from the line by John Fernandes in space of just a minute.

In the stoppage time UBI once again came close to score their third goal. Shravan Shetty cuts inside from left flank and had a go towards the target, his shot somehow went wide.

With this win Union Bank of India has turned the tables after a mediocre start to the season.