Kenkre gets closer to qualification after beating Pride Sports 2-0

by Balbir Singh February 18, 2017

Cooperage Stadium, 17 February 2017: Kenkre Football Club recorded a 2-0 win over Pride Sports in the Second Division I-League on Friday afternoon. The home side, having struggled to convert their chances in the first-45 minutes, scored two quick goals at the start of the second half; no.10 Kouassi Yao has been in fine form for Kenkre and scored twice in the 48^th and 51^st minute to put his side in the driver’s seat.

Kenkre saw the game out comfortably in the end and after a disappointing 0-0 draw away in Hyderabad last time, Sanjay Singh’s side made a fine comeback. The Mumbai club currently sits at the top of Group ‘C’ with 11 points from five matches and looks confident to progress into the next stage of the competition.

In the first half, both sides tried to put plenty of half chances in but lacked conviction in the final third to cause any real damage to either goalkeeper. Kenkre though remained the stronger of the two sides and finished the first-half on a strong note; as the side carried its momentum in the second half.

This season, for Kenkre, goals have not come with ease, despite leading the table in terms of points; they have scored one of the lowest number of goals (5) in the five matches they have played. A 2-0 win was also a welcoming result for a side who has just average one goal every match.

As the match progressed in the second half, Pride Sports did manage to create a couple of good chances to get back into the match. But it seemed as Kenkre already had a tight grip on the match, which they did not lose until the very end.

There are a number of ways, Friday afternoon’s win is exciting for Kenkre F.C. who seem to have finally found some rhythm which reflects in their playing style this season. With three matches to go, and with one match to play (at home), Kenkre will look to finish at the top, and only they could be blamed if they fail to do so.

Sanjay Singh’s side faces Ozone F.C. Bengaluru on Friday, 24 February 2017 and will look to put the final nail in the coffin, when they play their final group stage match at Cooperage in a week’s time.