They took the lead early in the first half after Shubham Khanvilkar’s composed effort from the spot.

It was soon 2-0 as a superb through-ball found its way to Praneel Mendon who chipped over the on-rushing keeper into the goal.

And if it were not for a couple of missed opportunities Customs would have scored even more!

BOI were handed a lifeline in the second-half thanks to a penalty kick being awarded for handball.

Though Rishik Shetty converted from the spot still Customs scored again thanks to a a tap-in by Shrikant Veeramallu.

Of course, full marks to Veeramallu for superb positioning and off-the-ball work in the build-up to the goal!

Despite Pramod Galave having his spot-kick saved late on still Customs made sure that the game was beyond BOI’s reach.

With this result Customs have moved into third spot whereas BOI have dropped down to eighth in the league standings.

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Steven Dias, as most distinctively and fondly one can recollect him, has an unignorable career, which is winding down. But Monday afternoon’s display against a Customs side, had a very exciting feel to it, as Dais made marks from the margin scoring three times, and playing a pivotal part in a fairytale-like performance.

The first-45 minutes of the match, both teams had a host of opportunities at their end of the bargain to put the ball in the back of the net than shooting wide. On one such occasion, Mumbai FC broke the deadlock to grab hold of the momentum, proceeding into the second-half matters. Shilton D’Silva’s goal-bound effort had left little room for goalkeeper Rihaz Koya to save the shot.

The second half of the match averaged a goal every four and half minutes, as 10 goals were orchestrated, with Dias scoring a quarter of them. The Mumbai FC no.23 helped set up Karan Sawhney, for the striker’s hat-trick.

Karan Sawhney raised and pulled the curtains to a highly greeting performance, opening his account in the 58th minute and completing his hat-trick with a goal from the spot in the dying moments of the match.

In a maddening final 15 minutes and a hefty chunk of stoppage time, the game barely settled or slowed down for either side to manage any real foothold in the match.

Nikhil Kadam scored Mumbai FC’s third to put his side firmly in control. After five minutes of end-to-end football, Steven Dias got his breakthrough goal. His opposite number in the Custom ranks Charles Miranda produced a show of his own, as the no.23 added his name to the scorer’s sheet.

A minute later, Dias replied with a fine and cleanly struck goal to double his tally of goals and restore the side’s four-goal cushion. And just as Rilando Fernandes’ strike went inside the goal in the 85th minute, Dias stepped-up again to complete his hat-trick, right after the restart.

An oblivion of hope for a comeback rumoured a few miles from the spot, Custom’s Sagar scored his third and final goal of the afternoon on 87 minutes. But as the match headed into added time, Karan Sawhney’s hugger to manoeuvre a goal, resulted in the striker’s much-anticipated second goal on 92 minutes.

As the match reached its conclusion, Mumbai FC were granted with a chance to add another – to an already glittering scoreline and team performance – from the spot; Karan Sawhney converted, making a statement of intent.

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What turned out to be a close contest, John Coutinho’s penalty in the second half proved enough for Mumbai Customs as they registered a narrow 1-0 victory over Central Bank of India (CBI). An unfortunate mistake by Rithick Mukherjee of CBI at the 62nd minute brought the penalty on the platter for Mumbai Customs. Another yellow card from CBI was from Sunny Gil in the first half at the 25th min, which is also his second yellow card so far, the first yellow card was in their previous match against Air India.

CBI headed towards the match on the back of a thumping 5-0 win against Kenkre FC in their opening game of the campaign. A free flowing attacking display left Kenkre FC in shambles as CBI marched towards a fine victory.

Whereas, Mumbai Customs had to suffer a defeat at the hands of mighty Air India who scored two second-half goals to win the tie 2-0 after a neck-to-neck clash.

Mumbai Customs stepped their game up yesterday and dominated the match proceedings for the major part of the game. Praneel Mendon, Joshua Vessoakar, Deepak Irmali, and John Coutinho had a fine game for the Customs.

Customs’ hard work finally paid off in the 62nd minute when John Coutinho converted from the spot which proved to be the decisive goal of the match as Customs registered their first win of the season.

For the Photo Gallery please click here!

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What turned out to be a highly intense fixture, both the teams performed at their very best but the more experience one out of the two sides came on at the top. In the first-half, Air India and Mumbai Customs, both created numerous openings but couldn’t manage to deliver the final blow.

Hekmat Singh, Deepak Irmali, Rinaldo Fernandes, and Nazeef Chembakassery had a fine game for Mumbai Customs. As usual, Deepak and Rinaldo linked up pretty well to create opportunities. Right from the defence to attack, the Customs’ kept their composure to inflict pressure on Air India.

Meanwhile, Air India also had their very own experienced and quality players at disposal. Captain Vijith Shetty, Subhas Chakraborty, and Santosh Koli put up a brilliant performance to cause serious threats to Mumbai Customs.

Both the sides went into the break with the score tied at 0-0. In the second-half, after battling out each other for more than half an hour, Air India finally managed to break down Mumbai Customs’ resilient backline to take the lead in the 71st minute.

A brilliant free-kick by Vijith Shetty was headed home by defender Anuraj Sidhu to open the scoring just before Vijith Shetty set up yet another goal when he brilliantly put a pinpoint ball across the goal to Sunny Thakur, who scored past Mumbai Customs’ goalkeeper Lihaz Kaya to increase Air India’s lead by two goals.

Conceding two goals in two minutes broke Mumbai Customs’ resilient and yet again Air India managed to snatch away all three points by displaying a courageous effort to start their Elite Division campaign on a positive note.

Please click here for the photo album of the match

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Attacking midfielder Deepak Irmali scored a fine hat-trick to decimate Central Railways (M.D) backline. Hekmat Singh, Ashrafali Makandar and Jinto Jose scored the other three goals to complete a memorable win.

It took Mumbai Customs just three minutes to open their account. Deepak Irmali took advantage of a slight error in Central Railway’s defence and capitalized it after placing his effort in the back of the net.

Seven minutes later, Deepak once again got on the scoresheet with a superb goal, beating a hapless Central Railway goalkeeper Ravi Ghadigaokar to make it 2-0 in favour of Mumbai Customs.

The duo of Deepak Irmali and Rinaldo Fernandes became a potent threat for their counterparts for the majority of the game. The link-up between both the players was close to perfect.

Deepak completed his hat-trick in the 24th minute, taking the match beyond Central Railways reach. Hekmat Singh, Ashrafali Makandar and Jinto Jose scored one each in the later stages of the match to send Mumbai Customs in the next round.

Mumbai Customs will be facing Central Bank of India tomorrow at St. Xavier’s Ground, Parel.

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More than a month back on 18th March, an injury time goal in the title decider match by Mumbai F.C’s Rohit Mirza spoiled Air India’s party as O.N.G.C were declared as the new holders of MDFA Elite Division title.

Air India just needed a draw from this game to prevent O.N.G.C from leapfrogging them but luck wasn’t on their side at Cooperage that night. With this loss Air India slipped to 3rd with Mumbai F.C moving one place up to 2nd.

There were upsets pulled off, records broken, and even standouts performance throughout the season but only eleven players has made it in the team of the season, and deservedly so.

Goalkeeper

Sheldon Raghawan (Union Bank of India) – UBI had the 5th best defense of the league, it wouldn’t be fair if Sheldon didn’t get the credits he deserved. His reflexes, saves, distribution was second to none. Even though UBI leaked goals at the back, if not for Sheldon they would have conceded a lot of goals and could have finish their season a lot lower in the final standings.

Defenders

Ashish Pawaskar (Union Bank of India) – Another UBI player in the list and the final one too. Ashish’s game reading was top notch throughout the season, along with his game sense Ashish’s hard tackles will be surely remember by his opponent players. The no. 21 was the link between UBI’s defense and midfield. Apart from playing at the back, he also played as a defensive midfielder when needed.

Santosh Koli (Air India) – Like any other season, Air India had the best defense of the season. Conceding only 9 times in all, the mighty Air India proved how much essential an experience defender in a side is. Santosh Koli is one of the most experienced player in the whole league. Defending has been an art for Koli who has not only set an example but also proved how defending can win you matches. His agility, positioning, aggressiveness has earned him a place in the team of the season.

Wayne Vaz (Air India) – Santosh Koli’s partner in crime, Wayne Vaz. The duo has set the bar very high for anyone to overtake. Along with Koli, Wayne too had a tremendous season overall. Top notch man-marking, game sense, tackles and becoming a threat on set pieces, these are the qualities Wayne inhered.

Joshua Vessoakar (Mumbai Customs) – Undoubtedly Mumbai Customs best defender of this season. Getting past him was not as easy as it seemed to be. His defending abilities helped Mumbai Customs to concede only 12 goals in total, same as Mumbai F.C and O.N.G.C.

Midfielders/Attacking Midfielders

Raynier Fernandes (Air India) – The attacking midfielder is the reason behind Air India’s destructive attacking display. Raynier scored five goals this season and also provided couple of goals, his link-up play with his teammates has been top notch. Raynier’s quick feet, dribbling skills has already proved that he is very skillful. His performance this season also earned him a spot in Maharashtra’s team who reached Santosh Trophy final where they eventually lost to Services.

Taisuke Matsugae (Mumbai F.C) – The Captain of Mumbai F.C has also made his name in the team of the season after a splendid performance in Elite Division. Despite playing less number of matches, the Japanese midfielder scored six times and assisted thrice for the Yellow Submarine. His presence on the field has helped Mumbai F.C in both domestic and as well as I-league games.

Aaron D’Costa (Air India) – Just like his teammate Raynier, even Aaron has proved to be one of Air India’s best player this season. Aaron orchestrates Air India’s midfield along with Raynier to find spaces behind their opponent’s defense with their sharp vision. Aaron has the pace, skills and game sense which has made him a good prospect. The attacking midfielder also represented Maharashtra in Santosh Trophy.

Deepak Irmali (Mumbai Customs) – Easily Mumbai Customs best player this season, Deepak Irmali has proved his team and management that he can step up on big stage too. Playing on the flanks for Mumbai Customs, Deepak helped his side finish in top 5 this season where he found the back of the net six times, more than any Mumbai Customs player. His crossing and vision is has been a key element for both, him and his club.

Forwards/Strikers

Parminder Singh (O.N.G.C) – The joint top scorer of this season’s Elite Division has proved to be a potent threat for his opponent for throughout the season. The lanky striker has netted eight times this season where four of them were scored against G.M Sports in a single match. Parminder is a complete fox in the box player as he is very lethal when inside the box.

Ennock Annan (O.N.G.C) – Parminder’s partner in crime, Ennock also made his presence felt on the field for O.N.G.C after scoring seven goals in this season of Elite Division. His sudden burst of acceleration has left many defenders behind this season. Apart from his pace, Ennock’s finishing has been fantastic for the whole season. If not for him and Parminder, O.N.G.C wouldn’t have clinched the title, that’s for sure.

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After a dull first-half ONGC took the lead on the 71st minute through Parminder Singh before Deepak Irmali equalized for Mumbai Customs with six minutes left. But there was a twist in the tale right in the injury time, ONGC Striker Enock Annan who was through on goal kept his composure before finishing it superbly to give ONGC all three points.

The win also gives ONGC a ray of hope to fight with Air India for the Elite Division Title.

Both the outfit took time to settle into the game and almost for the whole first-half they didn’t had any genuine goal scoring chances. Customs inform striker Rinaldo Fernandes did came close to open the deadlock but his loose right footed shot was comfortably saved by ONGC’s custodian Rahul Chadha.

On a contradictory note the second-half saw a much better attacking display from both, Customs and ONGC. The latter however was wasteful in front of the goal.

After missing numerous chances ONGC finally broke the deadlock on the 71st minute when Nitesh Monde laid a beautiful ball across the goal, which was tapped in by Parminder Singh to put ONGC ahead.

Few minutes later, ONGC almost scored their second goal of the evening when Parminder Singh failed to convert Enock’s cross from five yards. This would surely snatched all three points right there.

Customs fought back hard. On 79th minute Deepak Irmali had a great opportunity to level the score, but rather than finding the back of the net, the number 11 shot hit the side netting.

Five minutes later, Deepak finally equalized for Customs with a powerful right footed shot from outside the box, sailing right at the bottom corner.

With the match heading towards a draw there was still time for a late drama. In the third minute of the injury time, ONGC’s Enock Annan scored past Customs goalkeeper Lihaz Khan as he was completely through on goal to earn a unlikely win for his team.

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Ashrafali Makandar opened the scoring early in the first-half before Deepak Irmali made it 2-0 at the stroke of half-time. Arvind Kanojia did pulled one back late in the second-half for R.C.F, but Rinaldo’s brilliance once again restored the parity for Mumbai Customs after a late solo goal.

Mumbai Customs made a dream start when it took them just 5 minutes to open the scoring. Ashrafali Makandar was in right place at the right time to bury his shot into the back of net from the edge of the box.

R.C.F seemed to be clueless in front of Mumbai Custom’s defender. The backline consistently kept on frustrating R.C.F’s forwards.

It took R.C.F almost half an hour to register their first shot on target. Sandeep Updahyay’s header rattled the bar, which was their best opportunity to equalize in the first-half.

Minutes later, Rinaldo Fernandes almost scored Mumbai Custom’s second goal of the game when his shot was cleared off from the line by Sandeep Upadhyay.

The last ten minutes of the first-half was dominated by Customs. Rinaldo Fernandes and Ashrafali Makandar, both came close to find the back of the net before Deepak Irmali finally scored Custom’s second goal of the game after a fantastic ball from Akshay Saptoji.

The goal came right at the stroke of half-time. R.C.F’s custodian Vatsal Bhatia failed to judge Deepak’s left footed strike as he saw his shot comfortably beating R.C.F’s number 1.

Mumbai Customs went into the break with a two goal advantage in hope to better their performance in the second-half.

It was no doubt that R.C.F were wasteful in front of the goal today. On the hour mark, Troy’s brilliantly taken corner was headed over the bar by Arvind Kanojia, who was surprisingly left unmarked by Customs.

Five minutes later, Arvind Kanojia once again failed to deal with Customs defense, as he wasted a great opportunity after a beautiful link-up play with Kevin Patrick.

R.C.F finally managed to pull one back in the stoppage time when Kevin Patrick was brought down by Sandesh puthran inside the box. Referee Rajesh Kanojia perfectly spotted the incident and awarded R.C.F with a penalty.

Arvind Kanojia stepped up and superbly placed his penalty into the top right corner to cut short the deficit.

With only a minute to go, Rinaldo Fernandes wrapped up the game, after a brilliant solo run straight from the half-line the striker comprehensively managed to beat the goalkeeper to give Mumbai Customs all three points.

It was a bad performance from R.C.F. Had they converted half of their chances the final result could have been much better.

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