REIGNING champions Rabbani Club, Kamptee started their fresh season with a commanding win over last year’s finalists Young Muslim Football Club in opening match of JSW NDFA Elite Division Football Tournament that got underway at Dr Ambedkar Stadium in Suyog Nagar on Wednesday. In the battle between two of city’s top football clubs, Rabbani defeated YMFC 3-1. Md Moiz Kamal scored first goal for Rabbani in 37th minute of play. Starting form right wing, Moiz dodged a couple of rival defenders to shoot past the goalkeeper. Just four minutes later, Md Owes Ashraf doubled the lead.

 

On a perfect cross by Huzaif, Owais found back of the net. Young Muslim’s dangerman Yash Shukla puled one back for his team in the second half. In 60th minute of play, Shukla received a fine cross from Badal Soren in the box and pumped it into the open goal. But within one minute, Md Mustajab Ashraf restored the lead on a counter move. Owais provided a high ball to Mustajab whose solid header from left top of the D shook the net.

 

Rabbani’s Md Huzaif, Furqaan Raza and Gulam Imran while Young Muslim’s Soren were cautioned during the match. At the outset, chief guest Rinku Singh Chowdhary, AGM, JSW and guest of honour Pranav Patil, CSR Head, JSW wished the teams good luck. NDFA President Haresh Vora, Secretary Iqbal Kashmiri, General Secretary Dr Stanley Gregory, Abid Khan, Eugene Norbert, Hemant Sahani, AB Khan, Dr Kamil Ansari were among those prominently present on the occasion.