Elite Division / MDFA

Elite Division: Dena Bank strike late to breach Central Bank citadel

by March 7, 2019

Mumbai, March 7, 2019: Two late second half goals from Arfat Ansari and Denzil Mascrenhas allowed Dena Bank to snatch a 2-0 win against Central Bank of India at the Neville D’Souza Ground on Thursday.

The first half was an even battle as both teams fought it out and did not spare an inch. As the mercury rose, both teams slugged it out and tried to find gaps in either defence. Given the way things unfolded in the first half fans may have been forgiven for thinking that the game was headed for a stalemate!

Akshay Saptoji was superb for Central Bank at the back. His game was an education for any aspiring defender!

Piyush Koli was instrumental in setting up most of Dena Banks’ attacks. Just when the game was meandering towards a goalless draw in popped Ansari who scored off an opportunistic header from a corner in the 72nd minute.

That goal was the much needed oxygen for Dena Bank who grew in confidence and piled on the pressure. They struck again through Mascrenhas in the 88th minute to effectively shut out Central Bank from the contest.

It was a moment of magic from Ansari which opened the floodgates for Dena Bank as he ghosted past his marker to hit home the decisive goal. Central Bank’s citadel had been breached and they suddenly looked jittery!

It resulted in another goal as their back line crumbled and gave Mascrenhas enough space to hammer home the final nail in the coffin. The 2-0 scoreline surely doesn’t reflect as to how hard Dena Bank had to struggle to pick up the three points! If it weren’t for Ansari’s goal the game surely was headed to a goalless draw!

Central Bank can take consolation from the fact that they made their opponents slog for the entirety of the game.

A pity that they couldn’t replicate their well drilled defensive performance in attack as well!

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