As the first-45-minutes of the footballing action came to a partial closure, the game was a handful of goals short at 0-0. Maharashtra State Police for a majority of the first-half dominated attacking-wise while, Salcette fancied their chances on the counterattack.

The best chance of the half for M.S. Police came when they received a free-kick near the halfway-line around the 25 minute mark, no.7 Swapnil Mane took charge and didn’t miss the opportunity to test the goalkeeper, but the latter was equal to task in hand, making a fine stop. At the most, M.S. Police created just two genuine goal-scoring chances for all their dominance throughout the first-45 minutes; lacking genuine chance conversion instincts, although one would argue: a hatful of fine stops from both goalies made at either ends of the field, kept the scoreline at 0-0.

Into the second-half of the game, and Salcette made a fine start to the half, creating a number of chances, but failed to convert, largely due to some last-ditch defending from Maharashtra State Police. As the half reached its midway-point, M.S. Police came-back into the game and played some really good football to get past Salcette’s defensive block, ultimately failing to capitalize on the initial good-work.

The game became increasingly frustrating with the scoreline still at 0-0, and some nasty and fierce tackling became a common site. In the 30th minute, M.S.P were presented with a great chance on the counterattack, but no.25 Haneef Sheikh decided to take an early shot, which he dragged wide. In the next 5 minutes, M.S. Police were presented with a couple of opportunities to score, but didn’t utilize them to the fullest as they were hit weak and straight into the hands of the Salcette goalkeeper. Haneef Sheikh, later also dragged a glorious headed opportunity wide in the 85th minute; possibly, the best opportunity M.S. Police generated throughout the game.

The goal did arrive for M.S. Police from no.5 Arjun Yadav as they deservedly went ahead in the 90th minute of the game. The goal arrived much to the delight of the M.S. Police staff, on-field players and substitutes’ delight, who were shouting to death in frustration, but packed their kits in utter satisfaction.

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The match was surrounded with controversial decisions, injuries and of course, bookings. Both the teams had a well organized back four which proved to be the sole reason behind the stalemate.

MS Police, who were playing their first game of this new season dominated the first-half, but a gritty defense of Bank of India stood like a wall in front of MS Police.

On the 7th minute, MS Police’s Mohammad Mohsin found Nilesh Korgoakar on the edge of the box, who lashed a powerful drive towards the goal which was brilliantly kept out by Bank of India’s goalkeeper Rajesh Bangera.

Seventeen minutes later, Bank of India’s goalkeeper Rajesh Bangera almost spilled away a dubious goal.

The goalkeeper’s loose pass of all people got intercepted by MS Police’s Sameer Khan, who tried to slot his effort under the goalkeeper, but Rajesh kept his calmness and saved it comfortably.

On the brink of half-time, MS Police’s Amir Shaikh got cautioned for a needless elbow on Bank of India’s Rahul Nair.

The second-half was a highly intense half. Both the teams had to see their teammates being treated on the sidelines, courtesy of aggressive tactics being used by both, Bank of India and MS Police.

A heated arguement was also witnessed by the spectators and the match officials between managers and the Referees late in the second-half, due to number of controversial decisions.

With twenty minutes left, Bank of India’s Rajesh Bangera once again denied Nitin Wagil, whose right footed shot was tipped off the bar by the shot stopper.

Both the teams held their nerves in the last stages of the match to share the spoils.

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GMSC were much the better team in the first half and they were at it from the start, earning their first corner in the 5^th minute of the game after great bit of play on the right flank. GMSC had a swagger about their play, though much of it was down to the ineptness in MS Police’s game early on.

GMSC’s superiority was confirmed in the 10^th minute when GMSC’s Clifford Garett’s sublime lob was met by winger Tushar Poojari who drove inside the box to finish superbly from a tight angle to give GMSC the lead in the game they had totally bossed till then.

GMSC had the momentum and they threatened to drive it home when Michael Idewele broke clear of the MS Police defence, but their keeper did well by charging ahead and capitalizing on a loose touch to claim the ball.

MS Police conjured up their first opportunity in the 16^th minute of the game after some neat work on the left flank resulted in a shot which was brilliantly kept out by the GMSC keeper. The chance spurred MS Police on as they enjoyed their best spell of the game for the next 10 minutes as they searched for an equalizer.

GMSC had another opportunity at the half hour mark when striker Michael Idewele made a great run before the keeper made a fine save and stopped GMSC from doubling their advantage. But he had to be on his toes again four minutes later, as GMSC threatened again, when forward Hasan Golwal beat the offside trap only to be denied by Mohsin Khan’s heroics in goal.

Kamlesh Borkar of MS Police got injured and teams used this time to plan their substitutions which came to effect in the 41^st minute. It was a bit strange to see teams going for a change with minutes left for the conclusion of the first half.

Referee blew for half time with GMSC in the ascendency not just in terms of the scoreline but also in the number of chances and quality of play. MS Police threatened in patches but were clearly second best at the interval.

Second half started with a GMSC corner in the 48^th minute but was hit straight at the keeper. Two minutes later MS Police midfielder Taufiq Sayad put in a great cross and the shot from Sandip Badkar was saved by the GMSC keeper. A minute later first half substitute Amjad Khan dribbled his way past the GMSC defense into the box, sending in a teasing low cross in front of the gaping goal but unfortunately for MS Police there was no at the end of it.

MS Police made a strong comeback in the second half and suddenly it was all MS Police as Robin Kujur of GMSC got lucky twice after his weak tackle allowed MS Police’s Swapnil Mane to have a shot which went narrowly wide and later his clearance hit Mohsin Mohammed and the ball rebounded into the hands of the GMSC keeper. A few inches here or there and MS Police would have restored parity.

MS Police had turned the tables and were looking more and more threatening.  MS Police midfielder Taufiq Sayad beautifully laid it off for Amjad Khan who shot over. Amjad Khan was proving to be a master substitution as he was involved in every attack in the MS Police’s second half revival. GMSC tried to stem the flow of the MS Police attacks with chances of their own in the 65^th minute when striker Michael Idewele did well to get on the end of a pass, beat the keeper but could only shoot over.

MS Police brought on Himket Dembre in place of Sandeep Badkar in the 67^th minute and he almost made an instant impact after Azar Shaikh picked up Amjad Khan’s run, who put in another brilliant cross giving the substitute an easy tap in but he failed to control and shot over. This was the best chance for MS Police in the entire game and it was a poor miss from the substitute as GMSC clung on to their slender advantage.

Clifford Garett of GMSC was booked for time wasting but was lucky not to see further action after he jeered the referee after he was booked. GMSC were feeling the pressure as the game approached its closing minutes. With three quarters of the game up, MS Police had yet another opportunity when Mohsin Mohammed missed a free header after substitute Wagly precisely picked out the striker with a fine cross.

MS Police piled on the pressure, resulting in a free kick in a very encouraging position in the 80^th for them. But they totally wasted it as Azar Shaikh over hit it for a goal kick. MS Police were letting opportunities after opportunities pass by as time was quickly running out for them.

Seven minutes later MS Police were punished for their impotency in front of goal as GMSC doubled their lead through Michael Idewele as he cut the keeper to tap in an open goal after he had latched on to Hasan Golwal’s through ball.

As we thought the game was up, MS Police pulled one back after a brilliant move in the box gave Swapnil Mane a tap in and it was game on again as the referee signaled for five minutes of stoppage time. MS Police threw kitchen sink at GMSC but they held their nerve to knock MS Police out of the Nadkarni Cup and book a quarter final berth.

MS Police paid a heavy price for failing to convert a host of opportunities which came their way in the second half as their second half dominance went in vain and a more clinical GMSC prevailed in what was a thrilling game of football.

GMSC face Mumbai Customs in the last eight who, earlier in the day brushed aside Mumbai FC U-19 side 4-0 with a brace from Fransisco Salin and goals from Sajjad Alam and Deepak Irmali.

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