“There would have been more goals but am happy with the win.” This was the highlight of the 2nd game of the season for Brothers FC summed up in one sentence by coach Pavan Sardesai. The gaffer had made three changes in total from the first match, mixing things around for this fixture. Goalkeeper Ishwar, defender Faisal Chandwale and Wayne were replaced by Aman, Rajat & Steven respectively, to add a little variety to the playing eleven.
The first chance was created in the opening minutes, when the ball was played to Wayne by skipper Umar Meera, which was superbly crossed from the left-hand-side to striker Jayesh Sambrekar. Sambrekar tried to chip the ball into the back of the net, though it went out despite being really close. In the third minute a corner was awarded which was taken by Wayne and was once again off target by Midfielder Maaz. Just as the players were getting a little anxious, the first attack from the opponents came in 9th minute, but striker Rohan Khobrekar was caught offside.
Both the teams kept on attacking but there were no more chances till the 14th minute, when a free kick was awarded outside the box which was sent too high by Wayne yet again. The first shot on target of match was by TFC XI in the 14th minute when Rohan Khobrekar placed the ball to his right, which was easily collected by goalkeeper Ishwar.
For next three minutes it was brothers midfielders who kept on attacking, but couldn’t open the account. The frustration was building and in the 17th minute it was again the opposition who got a shot just off the target.
Another easy chance missed in 19th minute by Brothers FC, when a superb aerial ball was sent by Taha to Jayesh who missed a sitter. TFC too failed to take the lead as the missed the golden chance when a superb through ball was sent from other half to striker Rajat who beat goalkeeper Ishwar, but couldn’t win against defender Ibbu. The latter had to clear the ball thrice, before he could breathe a sigh of relief.
Finally the deadlock was broken by Brothers FC in the 37th minute when a pass was collected by Jayesh and played on the right flank to Wayne, with a quick one-two and Jayesh finishing it off. As the team went into the break, the score stood 1-0 in the favour of Brothers.
There was one change at the start of the second half as in the 42nd minute (80 minute match), goalscorer Jayesh was substituted and replaced by Shahebaz Desai.
The second goal of the game came in 56th minute, when a penalty was awarded to Brothers for a hand-ball call. The goal-keeper couldn’t reach the shot from the spot, it as it was placed to his bottom right.
Third goal of match was scored by substitute Shahebaz Desai, who was waiting on the right flank to receive a cross from Taha and beat the goalie on his right as well, to make it 3-0. There were many more chances missed by Brothers right through the match but the gaffer was happy as he said, “At the end of the result matters.”
Update for next game-
Training will be off as Brothers play their next match on 19th January ,Saturday against Goans at 4.15 pm on Lele ground, Tilakwadi
(based on match report by Veeresh Mallabadi)
