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Air India on Saturday lifted the Durand Cup defeating another Mumbai outfit Dodsal FC in a penalty shootout after both teams failed to score during regular time.
Air India won the shootout 3-2, bagging the prestigious trophy after reaching the final for the very first time. The scorers for Air India were Pradeep, Sethi and Ramandeep, whereas the two goals of Dodsal were scored by Sunil Kumar and Diakhate.
While Air India held their nerves going into the shootout, scoring in the first two attempts, Dodsal fumbled at the first block. Dodsal, however, scored in the second attempt.
Air India’s player Harshad missed the third attempt, with Dodsal’s substitute goalie Abhijit Ghosh making a save. Dodsal then mounted the pressure by scoring again, and Air India were denied a goal again by Abhijit, who replaced Arup Debnath.
But Dodsal failed to capitalise when the scores were tied at 2-2 as it could not score on the fourth attempt.
Air India’s Ramandeep hit back with a goal on the last attempt, while Dodsal’s Rafi failed to equilise, handing out the victory to Air India.
Source – Deccan Chronicle
