Gaikwad fires hat-trick and then sees red

Gaikwad fires hat-trick and then sees red

Mumbai, March 27: Air India striker Neil Gaikwad scored a brilliant hat-trick, but later saw ‘red’ as his team soared to a facile 5-1 win against Companeroes SC in an Elite Division encounter of the MDFA (Mumbai District Football Association) League – 2014-15, played at the Cooperage ground, on Friday morning.

Referee Mohd. Khan showed the red card to Gaikwad and Daniel D’Souza of Comapenroes for violent conduct in the 60^th minute.

Earlier, the seasoned Gaikwad gave last season’s champions Air India a perfect start striking the opening goal in the 24^th minute and added the second 11 minutes later, as the airmen went into the break with a 2-0 cushion.

Companeroes dished out a good fighting performance but failed to capitalise on their chances initially. They finally managed to reduce the deficit early in the second half with Stephen Ugwu finding the back of the net in the 47^thminute.

But in the 51^st minute, Gaikwad restored Air India’s two goal advantage by scoring the third goal and completing his hat-trick. However, Gaikwad did not stay long on the pitch to savour his feat as nine minutes later he along with D’Souza got into a fight and were sent off.

Air India who were in control struck the fourth goal through Harrold Fernandes in the 70^th minute before Baldeep Singh scored the fifth deep into stoppage time to round off the tally.

Later in the evening, ONGC scored a comfortable 6-2 win against Maharashtra State Police in another Elite Division match.

Result, Elite Division: Air India 5 (Neil Gaikwad 24^th, 31^st, 51^st, Harrold Fernandes 70^th, Baldeep Singh 90+5^th) beat Companeroes SC 1 (Stephen Ugwu 47^th).

ONGC 6 (F. Lalmuanpuia 15^th, Kailash Patil 22^nd, 45+3^rd, Parminder Singh 75^th, Dhiraj Meher 82^nd, Jatin Bisht 86^th) beat M.S. Police 2 (Himket Dembre 29^th, 55^th).