Rabbani Club, Kamptee regrouped well after their shocking opening game defeat as they got the better of Qidwai Club 2-1 in the second round of the JSW-NDFA Elite Division League Tournament at association’s Dr BR Ambedkar Football Stadium in Suyog Nagar, north Nagpur. Mohd Yaseen (37th min) and Mohd Hanzala (44th min) scored for Rabbani while for Qidwai, Sahil Meshram (53rd) reduced the margin. Qidwai Club, who stunned defending champions Rahul and surprised many with their 2-0 win in the tournament opener, were shadow of self against a much improved Rabbani Club.

 

The match had a slow start as the ball rolled both the halves in first 30 minutes. Rabbani earned a penalty in the 37th minute after Shoeb Khan committed a foul inside the D in an attempt to clear a dangerous ball. Mohd Yaseen made no mistake in sending the ball to the wrong side of Qidwai goalkeeper Jafar Gourve. Rabbani increased the lead a minute before half-time when Hanzala, moving at a brisk pace, drilled in a grounder which Gourve could not stop despite getting his hands to it. Qidwai managed to pull one back in the 53rd minute when a defensive lapse by Rabbani defenders gave space to Qidwai’s Sahil Meshram. Rabbani custodian charged out of the small ‘D’ but Meshram’s right footer was too powerful as the ball rolled into the net. On Sunday: Nagpur Academy vs SECR Headquarters at 2.30 pm.