Air India midfielder Prakash Sonawane’s 82nd minute strike saw the airmen hold Mumbai FC 2-2 in a thrilling U-19 I-League tie at the Air India ground, Kalina, on Thursday.
Air India midfielder Prakash Sonawane’s 82nd minute strike saw the airmen hold Mumbai FC 2-2 in a thrilling U-19 I-League tie at the Air India ground, Kalina, on Thursday.
With this draw, the hosts, who thrashed ONGC 3-0 in their last game, have four points from two games. They next take on Pune FC on Saturday.
Mumbai FC’s Sagar Khanvilkar (35th minute) and Jayesh Rane (59th) struck one each while Air India’s Henthoiba Singh and Sonawane levelled the scores finding the net in the 52nd and 82nd minutes.
Both sides displayed a lot of passion and youthful exuberance and came out with some quality football. The opportunities to score were grabbed with alacrity and each goal was followed by mad celebrations.
If Mumbai FC’s Sagar Khanvilkar scored an easy goal by lobbing it over Air India custodian Bhushan Janardhan Patil. In reply, Henthoiba just tapped in a superb cross from Abhishek Amberkar off the left flank in the second half.
However, the day’s best goal was scored by Mumbai FC’s Rane. His fiery free kick pierced through the Air India wall, leaving goalkeeper Patil stunned.
When it looked that the game would end in the favour of Mumbai FC, Air India shocked them with a superb strike, eight minutes from the hooter. A pass from the left flank saw Henthoiba fail to find the target, but Sonawane reacted sharply to guide the ball in. Later, the airmen got a few more chances to up the margin, however, they failed to capitalise on it.
Air India coach Godfred Pereira said his players will have to work on the finishing. “We produced some good chances. Had we capitalised on it, we would have won the match. However, we hope to improve in our finishing before our next game against Pune,” he said.
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