RCF Nadkarni Cup: ONGC down Dena Bank to make quarter-finals

by FC Admin February 10, 2017

Mumbai, February 9: Mumbai Elite Division champions Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) dished out a slick performance scoring twice in the first half to overcome a spirited Dena Bank 2-0 in an entertaining first round match of the RCF Nadkarni Cup football tournament, organized by RCF Sports Club under the aegis of MDFA and played at the RCF Colony ground, Chembur on Thursday afternoon. Lenstan Aphonso (14^th minute) and Kevin Patrick (40^th minute) were bang on target to seal ONGC’s entry to the quarter-final and a meeting with Century Rayon.

Earlier in another first round encounter, Century Rayon scored an upset 2-1 win against Union Bank of India. Shopam S. scored the opening goal of the match to put Century in front in the 24^th minute. Century held on to the advantage going into the break.

After changing ends, Union Bank managed to draw level with veteran Khalid Siddque find the back of the net in the 62^nd minute. But, Century snatched a let winner through Kashung Singh in the 88^thminute to advance to the quarter-finals.

Click here to see photo gallery of UBI vs Century Rayon match

The fancied ONGC outfit not playing at full strength played a good tactical game by holding ball possession as their rivals went all out on the attack. After soaking a bit of pressure ONGC against the run of play forged ahead when Aphonso latched on to a long aerial ball and slotted past the goalkeeper Sarfaraz Ansari in the 14^th minute.

ONGC doubled the lead when seasoned midfielder and dead-ball specialists Jatin Bisht with a swerving flag-kick found the head of an unmarked Patrick who coolly headed home.

The oilmen relaxed the pace in the second half and did not add to the tally. In fact had the Dena Bank strikers been more alert they could have given ONGC a scare.

Click here to see photo gallery of ONGC vs Dena Bank match

In Friday matches, PIFA Colaba clashes with HDFC at 1.30 pm and Western Railway meets Kenkre Under-19 at 3.30 pm.

Results (1^st round): Century Rayon 2 (Shopam 24^th, Kashung 88^th) beat Union Bank of India 1 (Khalid Siddique 62^nd).

ONGC 2 (Lenstan Aphonso 14^th, Kevin Patrick 40^th) beat Dena Bank 0.