Brainy World are CSL Champions

Brainy World are CSL Champions

Mumbai: Brainy World, were crowned in glory by winning the inaugural edition of the Colaba Super League – 2015. In the grand finale, Brainy World showed solid nerves and proved better marksmen to overcome Kalakaar Indians 4-3 via the tie-breaker after 70-minutes of pulsating contest for supremacy finished goalless at the Cooperage ground.

Chief Guest, Mr. Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons was earlier introduced to both teams and encouraged them to do well before the kick-off.

The organisers also observed a minute silence as a mark of respective for Shabbir Ahmed, a former football administrator who passed away of Thursday afternoon.

Playing in a festive atmosphere under floodlights and in front of a large number of their supporters who were accompanied by beating drums the players did not disappoint.

The players took a bit of time adjusting to the artificial surface, but once they found their footing there were quite a few chances created at either end which resulted in plenty of exciting action. Brainy World had more of possession and the better opening but were unable to land the crucial blow.

Midway through the opening session Brainy World’s Hemant Meher did the spade work to set up Praful Bhoir. But the latter was unable to direct his shot on target and the first half ended without a goal.

The trend of missed chances continued in the second period and this time Kalakaar Indians also had a couple of attempts at goal but without any success and the match petered out into a goalless draw and tie-breaker was resorted to decide the outcome of the final.

In the crucial penalty shootout, Chetan Tandel, Charles Fernandes, Hemant Meher and Praful Bhoir found success for Brainy World while only Anil Pawar, Milind Mehar and Dheeraj Mistry could convert for the losing side.

The champions Brainy World were presented with the Champions Trophy and a cash award of Rs 50,000, while Kalakaar Indians received the runners-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 25,000.

Results (final): Brainy World 4 (Chetal Tandel, Charles Fernandes, Hemant Meher, Praful Bhoir) beat Kalakaar Indians 3 (Anil Pawar, Milind Meher, Dheeraj Mistry) via the tie-breaker. Full-time – 0-0.