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Indian Navy emerged champions of the MDFA (Mumbai District Football Association) organised Independence Cup Football Tournament 2013. The sailors struck in the second half to eke out a narrow 1-0 victory against G.M. East Indians in the finals played at the St. Xavier’s ground, Parel on Wednesday evening. Striker Prakash Dilla netted the all-important goal in the 12th minute of the second half.
In the third place match, Union Bank of India managed to prevail over PIFA Colaba 3-1 via the penalty shootout . The scores were tied 0-0 after full-time.
Earlier in the semi-finals, East Indians got the better of PIFA 5-4 via the tie-breaker after the teams were locked goalless at the end of normal time. In the second semis, Navy prevailed over Union Bank 3-1 also from a penalty shootout duel after the teams failed to score during regulation period.
In the quarter-finals, Navy scored an authoritative 3-1 over Central Railway, while East Indians got the better of Mumbai Customs by a narrow 2-1 margin in a closely fought match. Union Bank recorded an identical 2-1 win over Air India and PIFA snatched a 5-4 tie-breaker win over Kenkre FC.
Navy and East Indians received the winners’ and runners-up trophies and cash prizes of Rs 30,000 and 20,000 respectively from Chief Guest S.S. Narayan,a double Olympian. The third place team pocketed a cash prize of Rs 10,000.
Results – at St. Xavier’s ground, Parel – Independence Cup (final): Indian Navy 1 (Prakash Dilla) bt East Indians 0; 3rd place: Union Bank bt PIFA Colaba; Semi-finals: East Indians bt PIFA 5-4 via the tie-breaker (F-T 0-0); Navy bt Union Bank 3-1 via the tie-breaker (F-T 0-0); Quarter-finals: East Indians bt Mumbai Customs 2-1; PIFA bt Kenkre FC 3-1 via tie-breaker (F-T 1-1); Union Bank bt Air India 2-1; Navy bt Central Railway 1-0.
