MDFA Nadkarni Cup: HDFC and Customs cruise into the quarterfinals of the Nadkarni Cup

by FC Admin September 3, 2019

HDFC steamrolled past Bank of Baroda with a 5-1 win while Mumbai Customs beat Central Bank of India 3-1 to secure a quarter final spot from Group B.

The final matchday of Group B began with HDFC taking on Bank of Baroda in a deciding match for both teams. The match began with HDFC taking the lead within ten minutes when Pragnesh Solanki slotted in a cross from the right flank with ease. As the match progressed Bank of Baroda tried to gain control of the match but were punished by HDFC with three goals in a space of three minutes.On the 29th minute mark,Titus Uttankar scored the 5th goal for HDFC with a curling shot in the top corner of the match to put the game beyond Bank of Baroda.

The second half began with Denzil Mascrenas flicking a header beyond the HDFC goalkeeper to grab a solitary goal for Bank of Baroda. Yunus Ansari of Bank of Baroda was penalized with a red card by the referee in the closing stages of the match.

The match ended with HDFC  easing past Bank of Baroda 5-1 to progress through to the quarterfinals.

In the final match of Group B, Mumbai Customs overcame a first half scare from Central Bank of India to win the match 3-1. The first half began with Central Bank displaying some swift passing moves to trouble the Customs defence. Central Bank forward Shubham Poise scored the first goal of the match after being put through brilliantly by Nimesh Shetty. Throughout the first half, Central Bank of India created number of chances but the first half ended with the scoreline 1-0.

In the second half Customs came out as a completely different side with substitute Hekmat Singh combining well with the Customs forwards. Customs initiated their comeback with a goal by Hekmat Singh to level the scores. As the game progressed, Customs captain Praneel Mendon dominated the midfield and score his first goal of the match with a cracking finish to take the lead. Praneel was on the scoresheet once more,scoring a cracking long range goal to make the scoreline 3-1.

In the first half we were losing possession of the ball,the coach made some tactical changes in the second half and we kept better possession of the ball in the second half. As there are some new players, we are trying to strike a better understanding as a team as the tournament progresses.

We will be fielding a full strength side in the quarters to defend our crown of champions of last season and looking forward to play to our full potential.

– Praneel Mendon (Mumbai Customs Captain)

Mumbai Customs and HDFC progressed through to the quarterfinals of the Nadkarni Cup 2019 whereas Bank of Baroda and Central Bank of India bowed out.

Results- MDFA Nadkarni Cup 2019:

HDFC (Pragnesh Solanki 9′, Niyaj Patel 23′, Prashant Rane 24′, Ramesh Singh 25′, Titus Uttankar 29′) 5 – 1 Bank of Baroda (Denzil Mascrenas 46′)

Mumbai Customs (Hekmat Singh 70′, Praneel Mendon 75′,83′) 3- 1 Central Bank Of India (Shubham Poise 9′)

For upcoming fixtures and Group table of Nadkarni Cup: Visit here

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: Century Rayon storm into the quarterfinals with a 3-0 win over Iron Born

Also Read: Old but still Gold: Mumbai’s old warhorses can still pull strings on-field

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