Sagar Bedekar’s twin strikes help Flash FC to book their place in CSL 2016 final

by Siddharth Yadav June 9, 2016

Sagar Bedekar inspires Flash FC to defeat Jyoti FC 2-1 in the first semi-final of Colaba Sports League (CSL) 2016, which was played out at Cooperage Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Flash FC opened the scoring in the 28th minute through Sagar Bedekar’s penalty before Jyoti FC’s marquee player John Coutinho scored the goal of the tournament so far with a thunderous volley from outside the penalty area.

With the match heading towards penalties, Sagar Bedekar scored the winning goal three minutes from time to book Flash FC’s place in the final of CSL 2016.

Jyoti FC started the match aggressively. Their senior player Dharmendra Baria was booked for bringing down Sushant Jadhav before being subbed off moments later to avoid any further booking.

Flash FC’s fantastic counter attacking football earned them a penalty in the 28th minute when Chetan Tandel’s shot was handled inside the box.

Sagar Bedekar stepped up and converted from the spot to give Flash FC a vital lead. Just a minute later, Jyoti FC responded with a thunderous left footed volley from John Coutinho which leveled the score at 1-1.

Earlier in the second-half, Tejas Raut came agonizingly close to put Flash FC’s noses in front with a perfect header from Chetan Tandel’s corner. Tejas’ looping header came inches away from being in the back of the net.

In the 59th minute, Flash FC’s Bhavesh Dhanu found Sagar Bedekar with a looping ball, the latter brilliantly controlled the ball and chipped over Jyoti FC’s Kishan Sulegai only to see his attempted chip sailing over the bar.

A minute later, Jyoti FC’s Captain David D’Souza had a glorious chance to put his side in front when he blazed John Coutinho’s corner over the bar.

With the match heading towards the penalties, Flash FC’s Captain Chetan Tandel set Sagar Bedekar through on goal with a delicate through ball who took his time and curled his shot into the right bottom corner to win it for Hanumanta Narsappa’s side.

There was no coming back for Jyoti FC as they ended a superb campaign with a respectable performance.

John Coutinho got away with the player of the match for his stunning goal.