4th Final in a row, Winners in Sikkim Gold Cup Runners up Darjeeling Gold Cup Winners in Kalinga Cup, Orrisa Winners in Nadkarni Cup 10-man ONGC ground AI to lift Nadkarni Cup Mumbai, December 4: A 10-man strong ONGC (Oil & Natural Gas Corporation) showed plenty of guts and gumption to shoot down high-flying Air India 5-4 via the sudden death penalty shootout and clinch the top honours in the MDFA (Mumbai District Football Association) RCF-Nadkarni Cup Football Tournament -2014, organised by RCF at their ground in Chembur on Thursday. In the summit clash, ONGC played the entire second half with a man short after F. Lalmuanpuia, who was positioned on the goalline deliberately punched away Sagar Chile’s goalbound headed attempt in the 38th minute. Referee Ramesh Subramaniam sent the offending player to the dressing room and awarded Air India a penalty. However, Air India’s seasoned midfielder Vijith Shetty lacked confidence and saw his feeble attempt saved by goalkeeper Ubaid C.K. who guessed correctly by diving to his left to block the shot. Air India who last season lost to, now disbanded side, Mumbai Tigers in the final, have themselves to blame for once again finishing runners-up. They dominated possession and created more of the goal scoring opportunities. But lack of finishing proved to be their undoing and they had to settle for second best. In the penalty shootout duel RCF scored through, Karan Atwal, Bhola Prasad, Nitesh Monde, Enock Annan and Naresh Avla, while only Vivek Kaira missed as he shot out. Air India had their chances in the tie-breaker but threw them away. Praveen Sharma whose first attempt was saved by RCF goalkeeper Ubaid, was given another opportunity since referee Subramaniam ruled that the goalkeeper had moved off his line. From the retake, he shot low and completely wide off target. Air India’s Harold Fernandes also missed as his try hit the upright, which sealed RCF’s triumph. Chief Guest R.G. Rajan, Chairman & Managing Director, RCF, presented the glittering Nadkarni Cup and the cash prize of Rs one lakh to the champions ONGC and the runners-up trophy and a cash award of RS 50,000 to Air India. Striker Raju Meetei of Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers was adjudged as the ‘Player of the tounament’ and received a cash award of Rs 10,000. Results – finals: Oil & Natural Gas Corporation 5 (Karan Atwal, Bhola Prasad, Nitesh Monde, Enock Annan, Naresh Avla) beat Air India (Vijith Shetty, Raynier Fernandes, Onkar Singh, Ashkar C.V.) via tie-breaker. Full-time: 0-0. Photo caption: The victorious ONGC team are seen in a happy after mood after winning the RCF-Nadkarni Cup football tournament. ONGC defeated Air India 5-4 via the sudden death in the final played at the RCF ground on Thursday.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:54:31 +0000
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