Defending champions Air India and Karnatak Sporting Association (KSA) enjoyed easy first round outings in the 111th RCF-Nadkarni Cup knockout football tournament, organized by RCF Sports Club under the aegis of MDFA.
Fancied Air India got off to flying start as they blanked Mumbai Port Trust 5-0 in a first round match at the RCF Colony ground, Chembur on Tuesday afternoon. Later in the day, KSA got the better of ESIC (Employees State Insurance Corporation) 3-0 to set up a second round match with Air India.
Air India were well-served by strikers Pratk Koli who scored twice in the sixth and 23rd minutes and Sagar Khanvilkar who also struck a brace of goals in the 16th and 83rd minutes, while seasoned Santosh Koli also chipped with one in the eighth minute.
The karnatak outfit scored through Nascimanto Santiago’s doubles strikes (13th and 30th minutes) and Johnson D’Silva 40th).
Results – 1st round: Air India 5 (Pratk Koli 6th, 23rd, Santosh Koli 8th, Sagar Khanvilkar 16th, 83rd) beat Mumbai Port Trust 0.
Karnatak SA 3 (Nascimanto Santiago 13th, 30th, Johnson D’Silva 40th) beat ESIC 0.