Two late goals secure a 3-1 win for KSA

by Siddharth Yadav March 20, 2018

20th March 2018, Mumbai: KSA (Karnataka Sports Association) recovered from a 1-0 deficit to win the match 3-1 against a gritty PIFA Colaba side in MDFA Elite Division encounter at Cooperage Stadium. This was a crucial game for PIFA as they are fighting for survival in Elite Division.

KSA had a dull game throughout where they missed dozens of opportunities but they found the back of the net when it mattered the most. On the other end, PIFA struggled a bit to create chances. The ones they created didn’t bother KSA’s goalkeeper Manish Shetty.

Nonetheless, this young PIFA side made KSA sweat throughout the match which is itself a big thing. Although PIFA’s survival is hanging by a thread at the most, they must take positives from tonight’s display and prepare for their next battle.

KSA had a great start. Hiralal Chhetri, Tarique Ansari and Johnson D’Silva held the ball possession pretty well and created numerous opportunities. Midway through the first half, Faiz Khan blasted his effort over the bar in front of an open goal.

Moments later, Tarique and Tushar Poojary also missed their chances, leaving KSA’s bench in disbelief. Witnessing KSA’s poor finishing, PIFA knew a goal will be enough to put their counterpart under massive pressure.

On the stroke of the half-time, a huge error from KSA’s defense inside their own penalty box threw away a goal. Kamran Ansari, who was unmarked inside the box, calmly placed his effort in the back of the net to put PIFA’s noses in front at the break.

KSA responded well in the second half. They pressed high to regain the ball possession which worked like a charm. In the 61st minute, KSA’s Pawan was brought down inside the box, giving KSA a huge chance to level the score.

Johnson D’Silva stepped up and sent the goalkeeper in the wrong way to make it 1-1. A flurry of chances came upon for both the sides in the next twenty minutes, but the lack of killer instinct was pretty much evident.

Just when everyone thought that the game is heading for a draw, Tushar Poojary and Sagar Salian scored two quick goals in the stoppage time to snatch all three points from PIFA. Both the goals were set up brilliantly. The link-up and quick exchange of passes did the trick.