Elite Division: Old guard to the fore as KSA see off CFCI

by FC Admin March 8, 2019

Mumbai, March 8, 2019: It was experience which came to the fore as Karnataka Sports Association (KSA) pulled off a 3-1 win against CFCI at the Neville D’Souza Ground on Friday.

A second half brace by Roger Sam coupled with a 26th minute goal from Sanchit Singh was the cornerstone for the win.

Aman Gaikwad did pull one back for CFCI in the 61st minute but it proved to be a mere consolation in the end.

Though CFCI had started off well it was KSA who drew first blood as Singh hit home off Nascimentos’ assist. It surely made up for him missing a gilt-edged chance just a few minutes back!

It was soon 2-0 in the 48th minute as Roger headed in off a superb free kick off former India veteran Steven Dias from the right flank.

That goal was enough proof that experience is surely an asset for any team!

Also, Joe Paul was superb under the bar for KSA as he pulled off a string of fantastic saves to keep CFCI at bay.

The first half ended 2-0 to KSA and though Gaikwad did reduce the deficit later on still there was absolutely no doubt as to which team was going home with the honors.

CFCI battled hard but they were up against an hardened outfit whose defending resembled a brick wall at times!

The quartet of Nascimento, Dias, Paul and Sam rose to the occasion and delivered when it mattered the most.

Of course, Sam’s goal in the 90th minute was the icing on the cake as he hit home off a rebound and finished things off.

CFCI did have their moments though. Pratik Koli’s near goal miss from the right in the 74th minute proved that they did have the ammunition to threaten and score against the more experienced teams.

They also defended well for most part of the game and ensured that the margin of defeat was only 3-1.

They surely can take heart from this performance and use it as a springboard for the future.

A battling performance against a team chock-a-bloc with hardened veterans can be a catalyst for greater things to come!