Late goal from Rashid Shaikh helps Central Railway to escape with a point

by Siddharth Yadav January 18, 2016

Mumbai, Cooperage: A happening second-half between Central Railway and Central Bank of India (CBI) saw them share the spoils in a dramatic 2-2 draw, as a late strike from Rashid Shaikh helped the Railways escape with a point in the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) Elite Division encounter at Cooperage Stadium, on Monday afternoon.

Ajinkya Nalavade broke the deadlock in the second-half, when he tapped in Aziz Qureshi’s cross into the empty net to put Central Railway in front. But two quick goals from Central Bank of India (CBI) helped them to take the lead as Russel Galbano and Deep Moorjani scored for the Bankers. But substitute Rashid Shaikh’s late header for Central Railway denied CBI all three points.

Both the outfit were hapless in front of the goal for the first fourty-five minutes, a series of chances were wasted by Central Railway and Central Bank of India (CBI).

Midway into the first-half, Central Railway’s Aziz Qureshi came close to get his name on the scoresheet when his right footed drive was well saved by CBI’s custodian Siddarth Lavande.

Minutes later, Central Railway’s central midfielder Shafique found Sajandeep Singh with a delightful pass, but the latter failed to get behind the defense line, as the linesman raised his offside flag.

Central Railway’s goalkeeper Pradip Kumar almost cost his side a goal when he spilled Andrew Burthelo cross on which Deep Moorjani pounced on and saw his loose effort going just wide off the post.

On 51st minute, it was Central Railway who got the lead when Ajinkya Nalavade tapped a fantastic cross from Aziz Qureshi into the back of the net to give the Railways a vital lead.

Five minutes later, CBI’s John Fernandes came close to equalize when he saw his header being saved by Pradip Kumar. Although CBI’s hard work finally paid off on the 67th minute.

Russel Galbano squeezed past three Central Railways defender into the box, only to get fouled by Manoj Yadav. The referee awarded to the spot and Russel easily buried his spot kick into the right bottom corner to make it 1-1.

Ten minutes later, CBI took a surprising lead. Andrew Barthelo’s cross was met by Deep Morjani, who comfortably poked it into the back of the net to give CBI the lead for the first time in the match.

But Central Railway bounce back with a equalizer four minutes later. Sajandeep Singh’s excellent cross was headed in by substitute Rashid Shaikh to make the score 2-2.

Both the team held their nerves in the dying minutes to share the points.