DEFENDING champions Nagpur blanked Pune to inch closer to retaining their WIFA State Inter-District Football Championship title. In the second semi-final played at Nagpur District Football Association’s at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Football Stadium in Suyog Nagar, on Monday night, Nagpur defeated Pune 2-0. Mohd Owais Ashraf gave the hosts an early lead scoring in the sixth minute of play. Nagpur led 1-0 at the half-time. In the second half, Yash Shukla found his name on scoresheet with a beautiful diving header in 61st minute. Nagpur’s Mohamamad Faisal (15th) and Mohamamad Rizwan (26th), and Pune’s Harsh Utekar (19th), Yash Salunke (46th) and Kartik Raju (74th) were cautioned during the match. Earlier in the first semis, Kolhapur shocked Mumbai 2-1 in a high-temper match which saw nine bookings including that of Kolhapur manager. It was Mumbai who shot into the lead with a strike by Kamlesh Nadar as early as in the 5th minute.

 

Darshan Patil (45+3 min) drew parity for Kolhapur in the stoppage time of the first half. Both teams tried hard to get the better of the other but it was Kolhapur team that succeeded. In the 83rd minute, Patil found back of the net once again taking the team to the final. For the winners Karan Chavan (8th), Sagar Powar (12th), Sudhesh Saloke (17th), Shahid Mahalkari (39th), Vishal Patil (45+4) and manager Anil Adsule (85th) were shown the yellow card. Mumbai’s Athar Ansari (60th), Shanon Pereira (76th) and Kamlesh Nadar (89th) were cautioned for foul play. Nagpur, who had blanked Kolhapur 3-0 in their league match on Sunday, will go as favourites in the all important summit clash. The home support will be an added advantage to the hosts who remain the only unbeaten team in the competition. Match begins at 6.30 pm.