Mumbai: 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 Nadkarni Cup Football Tournament -2014 on Thursday.
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 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 ONGC scored through, Karan Atwal, Bhola Prasad, Nitesh Monde, Enock Annan and Naresh Avla, while only Vivek Kaira missed as he shot out.
Praveen Sharma was given another opportunity. 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 ONGC’s triumph.
