HDFC Bank emerge champions

HDFC Bank emerged champions by defeating Millat FC by a comfortable 3-0 margin in the final of the MDFA Republic Day Football Tournament 2018, for the Late Dr. Nitu Mandke Memorial Trophy, played at the St. Xavier’s Ground, Parel.

The Super Division outfit HDFC showed better understanding even though they faced a bit of a challenge initially. But they gradually asserted their domination and forged ahead midway through the first session through Titus Uttankar’s goal and doubled the lead when Leroy Almeida found the target just before the break. HDFC continued to call the shots but were denied more goals by an agile and alert Millat goalkeeper Anas Shipe, who made quite a number of saves. But his resistance was broken in the final minutes of the game when Blaise Fernandes fired home the third goal for his side.

Earlier in the semi-finals, HDFC defeated Dena Bank 6-5 via the tie-breaker penalty shootout and Millat FC got the better of G.M. Sports Club 4-2, also via the penalty shootout.

HDFC Bank received the handsome Trophy and a cash award of '30,000, while Millat FC received the runners-up trophy and a cash prize of '20,000. Goalkeeper Shipe was declared as the ‘Player of the Tournament’ and he received a cash prize of '3,000.