ONGC starts Elite campaign with 2-0 win

by Chittu Shetty January 24, 2020

Late entrant ONGC kicked off their MDFA Elite Division campaign with 2-0 win over MSP while in other game, KSA held Kenkre FC to a 1-1 draw.

In a rather one-sided encounter, ONGC scored twice in the last half hour to overcome Maharashtra State Police (MSP) resistance with a comfortable 2-0 win in an Elite Division match played out at the Cooperage ground on Thursday.

The first half of the game witnessed few chances coming for either side with team looking to control the pace of the game. ONGC came the closest to taking the lead when Sunil Lohar’s shot from distance hit the woodwork. Another ONGC attempt saw Lalmuanpuia’s strike from just outside the box bring out a save from MS Police custodian.

On restart, MSP goal keeper Tauseef Ansari was once again called into action as he pulled off a quick fire double save to keep the score 0-0. Abhijit Taware’s initial attempt was pushed away by Ansari however the rebound fell for Himanshu Patil, whose attempt too was saved by the keeper.

While ONGC continued to knock on the MSP defence, the police outfit found it hard to trouble ONGC defence, led by veteran defender Dharmesh Patel. The 44 year old lifelong ONGC player rolled back to his I league days putting up some commendable performances. Playing at centre-back, Dharmesh made some crucial tackles and Interceptions to deny MS Police any whiff at goal.

“The team was simply brilliant, we gelled & combined well from the very 1st minute. After a couple of good result by MS Police team in the league they were high on confidence & morale & they tried to press & attack us very effectively to take the lead but we resisted well & managed to come out victorious. It was not an easy match though. I’m happy with the team’s performance & the result. We are now preparing & looking forward for the next match.”

– Dharmesh Patel, ONGC Centre Back on the game against MS Police

Also Read: Chennaiyin close gap on top-four with dominating 4-1 win over Jamshedpur

Also Read: Mumbai eye return to top-four in Hyderabad

ONGC finally managed to find the breakthrough when around the hour mark, Himanshu Patil robbed Akshay Shinde off the ball before laying the ball for Lalmuanpuia who struck it wide of the keeper to make it 1-0. Soon another move saw, Lalmanpuia cross into the box was punched awkwardly away by MSP keeper, the ball fell for Sharvan Shetty whose attempted shot on goal went wide of the goal post.

In the 82^th minute, Shravan made up for his earlier mistake by setting up the second as he dribbled past one defender and ran wide with the ball before cutting it back into the center where Abhijit was in position to tap in to the goal and double the lead. The game ended at 2—0 as ONGC kicked off their campaign with a comfortable win.

Meanwhile at Mumbai Football Arena, KSA held Kenkre FC to a 1-1 draw. The match started on a cagey note with a goal less first half, where KSA came closest to a lead only for Alok Chauhan to miss his penalty strike. Roger Sam then opened the scoring for KSA when he beat his marker before taking a shot from the centre of the box that found the net. However a late screamer from Lester Fernandes resulted in Kenkre equalizing just in time as both the teams ended the game sharing a point each.

Results:

Elite (Corporate)

O.N.G.C (Lalmuanpia 60′, Abhijit Taware 82′) 2 – 0 M.S Police

Elite (Private)

K.S.A (Roger Sam 52′) 1 – 1 Kenkre FC (Lester Fernandes 83′)

Super division:

Young Boys (Tayyeb Penwala 8′, 40′, Tabish Shaikh 21′, Fardin Khan 56′, Shafiqulla Ansari 84’) 5 – 1 Mumbai Ultra (SFC) (Mukesh Vanitha 82′)

Results-2nd division:

GKW Rangers FC (Shwetank Patil 67′) 1 – 1 Khiladi Connect FC (Shareeq Shaikh 56′)

YSA (Mulund) Srima (Sarthak Singh 64′, 68′, 70+1′) 3 – 1 BEST Arts & SC (Saurabh Lokhande 36′)

Show off your Indian and European football knowledge with the football fantasy game from Playerzpot. Download the App with our special Footballcounter referral code, start playing and win cash daily.

Download app here: Link or click on the image below