10 man Air India hold HDFC to a 1-1 draw
With a player down and a goal down at the break, Air India rallied back brilliantly to hold HDFC to a draw in the MDFA Elite Division encounter (Corporate) played out here at Cooperage Stadium on Sunday.
Air India’s Suraj Negi struck a 2nd half header to cancel out Pragnesh Solanki’s early goal for HDFC as the both sides ended the game 1-1.
The game began with HDFC dominating the early proceeding. The bankers almost immediately went into the lead when Titus Uttankar beat his marker to send in a low cross for a tap-in only for an onrushing Aditya Dalvi missing it by whisker. However in the seventh minute, HDFC eventually took the lead after another good work from Titus who dribbled past a player to send in a neat through ball for Pragnesh Solanki, who ran into the box with the ball before slotting it past the keeper.
Air India immediately responded with couple of their own attacks. Dion Menezes freekick hit the woodwork after Sanchit Bhatt was fouled just outside the box. Few minutes later another freekick opportunity saw Satish Singh hitting just wide of the post.
Referees had a field day at the office with as many as 9 yellow cards being shown one of which turned into a Red. A reckless tackle from Air India’s Jiten Koli on Aaditya Dalvi earned him the first Yellow from the referee. Around the end of first half, Koli was booked for the 2nd time in the day for an elbow on Niyaz Patel. By the end of first half, Air India were trailing by a goal and to mount more misery were down to ten men too.
In the 2nd half, Air India shifted to 3-5-1 formation to control the midfield allowing themselves to intensify their attack. Few silly errors from referees heated up the match and yellow cards for dissent and rash fouls came flying out of the pockets. A dubious corner decision for Air India hurt HDFC the most as the corner ended up in goal. In the 56th minute, Azza Noorani’s corner-kick was well headed home by Suraj Negi to bring back the scores on level terms.
Few minutes later, Azza Noorani almost put Air India to lead with swiftly struck left footed volley only to be denied by HDFC Goalkeeper Kishor Nair.
As the momentum shifted towards Air India a routine corner resulted in ball being handled by Prashant Rane as the referee pointed to the spot. However Vijith Shetty’s spot kick hit the bar as the former champions missed the opportunity to take the lead.
In the dying stages of the match, HDFC had a chance to go a goal up in a counter-attacking move only to be denied by Air India custodian Jo Paul Bence. At the other end, a powerful shot from Vijith brought out a flying save from HDFC keeper. The game ended at the score 1-1 as both sides shared the spoils.
FT: Air India (Suraj Negi 53’) 1 – 1 HDFC (Pragnesh Solanki 7’)
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: India U17 women’s team to play Tri nation series in Mumbai
Also Read: Fijian Roy Krishna awarded ISL Hero of the Month for November
We would love to hear your Feedback on your Football Counter experience
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.
RFDL’s National Championship Preview: A Heated Battle as Football’s Brightest Stars Vie for Title Win in the Final Four Showdown
The National Championship of the elite U-21 youth tournament, the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) begins on May 14, Tuesday, with four teams, i.e. defending champions Bengaluru FC, Muthoot FA, East Bengal…
RFDL is the ultimate scouting platform – Thangboi Singto, Hyderabad FC Head Coach
Hyderabad FC head coach, Thangboi Singto, hailed the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) as the premier scouting ground for budding football players in India. As the 2023-24 season’s National Championship…
Punjab FC, East Bengal FC to lock horns in Reliance Foundation Development League 2023 – 24 final after emerging triumphant in semis
Bengaluru FC and Muthoot FA to fight out in the third-place playoff Mumbai, May 14: Punjab FC and East Bengal FC qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation Development League…
Big brother, wonderful human being, the GOAT: Chhetri an inspiration to teammates
BHUBANESWAR: As the Indian senior men’s team gathered in the Kalinga Stadium gym for their session on Thursday morning, there was a hush in the room. Less than an hour ago,…
Sunil Chhetri: A glorious international career at a glance
Born: August 3, 1984 Debut on June 12, 2005: vs Pakistan (Quetta) Matches played: 150 (captain in 87 matches) Goals scored: 94 (Top goalscorer for India) Trophies Won– Achievements– Awards– Also Read: Big brother, wonderful…
A beautiful dream will come to an end on June 6, says Sunil Chhetri
BHUBANESWAR: The journey that began in 2006 in the faraway city of Quetta in Pakistan, will finally come to an end in Kolkata on June 6, 2024, after an eventful 19…
Chembur United-Jupiter FC and GKW Ranger Ease Past in their Outing in MFA First Division
In an exhilarating showdown in the MFA First Division, Chembur United-Jupiter FC cruised past Companeroes SC with a comprehensive 4-0 victory, while GKW Rangers edged out MH Oranje FC with…
RF Youth Sports / Reliance Developmental League
Punjab FC crowned RFDL 2023-24 Champions after beating East Bengal FC in final
Punjab FC players deserve the entire credit for helping us win the Reliance Foundation Development League 2023-24 season unbeaten: Coach Sankarlal Chakraborty Punjab FC became the Reliance Foundation Development League…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…