KSA responds with a 3-2 victory against Kenkre FC

by Siddharth Yadav November 23, 2017

22nd November 2017, Mumbai: After earning only a point from their first two games, Karnataka Sports Association (KSA) responded brilliantly when they faced Kenkre FC yesterday in the MDFA – Mumbai District Football Association Elite Division at Cooperage Stadium.

In what proved to be an end-to-end encounter, KSA after being 2-1 down, scored twice in the second-half to record a 3-2 win over Kenkre FC to win their first match of the Elite Division campaign.

After a positive start, KSA was awarded a penalty in the 27th minute when Niralal Chhetri was brought down in the box. Kenkre FC players argued but it was of no use as referee Raunak stood firm on his decision. Former Air India’s youth player Sohail Khatri stepped up and comfortably placed his effort in the bottom corner to open the scoring for KSA.

Although KSA dominated the match proceedings, it was Kenkre FC who against the run of play turned the tables around on its head after scoring twice within two minutes. In the 32nd minute, a well-taken free-kick by Yash Mhatre found defender Girish Kamat unmarked who brilliantly headed home to level the score.

A minute later, Kenkre FC was awarded another free-kick at the very same position and it turned out to be a reminiscent of the previous goal with this time Yash Mhatre at the receiving end. Star midfielder Francisco Dominic’s delightful free-kick was headed past by Mhatre which gave Kenkre FC cushion 2-1 lead going into the break.

Just like Kenkre FC’s response after conceding the first goal, KSA responded in the exact same way when they scored two quick goals to turn the match around. Kenkre sat back after taking the lead which gave KSA an upper hand to dictate the game and find space behind the defenders.

Substitute Tushar Poojary and attacking midfielder Roger Sam was at the right place at the right time. In the 64th minute, Tushar found the back of the net with a close-range goal which levelled the score before Roger scored a stunning goal a  minute later to restore the lead for KSA.

Kenkre FC did have their fair number of opportunities in the last quarter of the game but the lack of killer instinct in front of the goal proved costly as they succumbed to a defeat in their first Elite Division match of the campaign.