HDFC Bank pulled off a narrow 1-0 win against Central Bank of India in a keenly contested first round match of the 111th RCF-Nadkarni Cup knockout football tournament, organized by RCF Sports Club under the aegis of MDFA, and played at the RCF Colony ground, Chembur on Thursday. Striker Ramesh Singh scored the all-important winner with snap long powerful left-footer in the 32nd minute, to secure HDFC’s win.
In another first round match, Union Bank of India got the better of Millat FA ‘A’ by a 3-2 margin. Union Bank struck three goals in the first half through Vinod Kumar Pandey (12th), Ranjeet Pandre (19th) and Sameer Swamy (24th) to take a 3-0 half-time lead. But they then soaked in lots of pressure and in the second period and in process conceded two goals but managed to hold out for a win. Kamran Siddique (52nd) and Kalpesh Rane (63rd) scored Millat’s goals.
Results – 1st round: HDFC Bank 1 (Ramesh Singh 32nd) beat Central Bank of India 0.
Union Bank of India 3 (Vinod Kumar Pandey 12th, Ranjeet Pandre 19th, Sameer Swamy 24th) beat Millat FC ‘A’ 2 (Kamran Siddique 52nd, Kalpesh Rane 63rd).