Spartan SC edges out Oberoi

by Prasad bhutkar January 15, 2016

Spartan S.C edged out Oberoi in the Mumbai District Football Association ( MDFA) First Division match held on Friday afternoon at St Xavier’s ground Parel.

Oberoi and Spartan played out a goalless first half. Spartan created a host of chances with a lot of passes down the left only for Oberoi to intercept and clear them. A half that was very dull by its standard saw only a few shots on target from both teams.

As seen in previous games, teams become clueless after reaching  the last third, this match was no short of that. The best chance of the game fell to Spartans in the 25^th minute when the left back stormed through the a lovely through-ball to skip past his marker only to pull it back in the six yard area for no one to pounce on it. That was surely a glorious chance and the best of the game . And probably one which could have lifted the tempo of the game.

As expected in the second half, both teams started better than what they performed in the entire first half. Again Spartan having majority of possession only for their striker number 19 Bobby  to fire wide of the target. He was through on goal and made a hasty decision to shot with both Oberoi centre-backs closing in on him.

Oberoi launched an attack down the right after snatching possession from the Spartan half only to reach the box and fire a shot over the top. That certainly was the best chance of the game for the Oberoi side who looked lacklustre just like their opponents Spartan who we can say were wasteful. Spartans had glorious chance when number 19 Bobby was through on goal again only for a centre backs to clear it. As Oberoi looked to score the opening  goal , Spartan intercepted the ball only to reach the box and fire a tame shot at the keeper. A lot of mistimed runs led to offsides as Spartan were left frustrated

The breakthrough came in the 59^th minutes from time when an Oberoi side trying to hold a highline were caught out. A brilliant defense splitting ball  to which Spartan number 11 Rohit Bheke complemented with a well-timed run to put the ball in the back of the net. The Oberoi keeper never rushed out to put pressure on the striker in the one on one situation which was not justified in itself.

Oberoi had a chance to level when a free-kick fired in the box was not kept on target spurning a rare chance. Spartans managed to hold on to register a win.