MDFA 1st division Play-off roundup: Wellingdon, Veniza Virar start off with a win

by Chittu Shetty March 28, 2018

An inspired 2^nd half performances helps Veniza Virar come from a goal down to collect all three points meanwhile Wellingdon edged Desperados 3-2

26^th March:

Veniza Virar started off their play-off campaign with a comprehensive win over Miners FC to take all 3 points. It was Miners FC who took an early lead when in the 14^th minute Daryl Chirayat’s strike found the back of the net. However, six minute later Manu Rana equalised to bring the game back on level terms. Half way in to the game, Nidhin Joseph made it 2-1 for Veniza as they began growing more into the game. Around the hour mark, Manu Rana completed his brace to make it 3-1 for Veniza Virar which remained the same till the final whistle as Miners FC failed to hit back any further. Meanwhile the other game of the day ended in a goal less stalemate with both Sunday Boys and ICL Payyade sharing the spoils.

Game 1: Veniza Virar 3 (Manu Rana 20’, 61’, Nidhin Joseph 40’) – 1 Miners FC (Daryl Chirayat 14’)

Game 2: Sunday Boys FC 0 – 0 ICL Payyade

Also Read: Kerala edges out Bengal; finishes on top of group A!

27^th March:

In a high scoring game, Wellingdon Cath. Gym held off a late fight back from Desperados SC to win 3-2. After a cagey start, Shervin Rodrigues slotted home the opener to put Wellingdon in to lead before the break. However Ivan Reddy’s strike minute into the second half levelled things off for Desperados SC. In the 52^nd minute, Wellingdon once again were back into the lead making it 2-1 before Lionel Fernandes doubled the lead to make it 3-1. At the other end, Desperados attempts for comeback were thwarted well by Wellingdon as the game closed to its end. Two minutes into the injury time, Ivan Reddy once again found the net for his side to reduce the deficit to one goal. But it was not enough as by the final whistle, Wellingdon went home with all 3 points.

In other fixture, (MFC) FC India and Atlanta FC shared the spoils as the game ended at 2-2. Roysten Veigas 15^th minute strike put Atlanta in to lead before a quick double strike from FC India sent the former a goal behind. However the lead didn’t stuck for long as Prashant Anchan equalised six minutes later to bring the game back on level terms.

Game 1: Wellingdon Cath. Gym. 3 (Shervin Rodrigues 32’, Gleason Rodrigues 52’, Lionel Fernandes 72’) – 2 Desperados SC (Ivan Reddy 43’, 80+2’)

Game 2: (MFC) FC India 2 (Leander Gonsalves 34’, Jaspreet Singh 37’) – 2 Atlanta FC (Roysten Veigas 15’, Prashant Anchan 41’)