NAGPUR Star and Green Flag started their campaign with victories on the opening day of the JSW NDFA Senior Division League which got under way on Tuesday morning at Dr BR Ambedkar Football Stadium in Suyog Nagar. In the Group A match, Nagpur Star edged out Maverick Football Club 3-2 to earn three full points. In the Group B opening encounter Green Flag blanked Orange City Club 2-0 to collect full points. The match between Nagpur Star and Maverick FC was an exciting one with the former taking an early lead in the match. Swaroop Wasnik put Nagpur Star ahead in the third minute even when Maverick team was yet to settle. The early set back put pressure on Maverick and they tried to draw parity making moves from both the flanks. Their relentless attacks on Nagpur Star citadel paid as they managed to score the equaliser in the 19th minute of play. Finding enough space in the defence, Dishant Makeshwar bulged the net to bring much relief in their camp. But a lapse in concentration in the injury time of the first half put Maverick behind again when Sheeshir (45+1) scored the second goal for Nagpur Star. After change of ends, Nagpur Star increased the lead with Sankalp Kourde scoring the third goal of the team in the 65th minute. Maverick pulled one back four minutes later to make it 2-3 from Sachin Maithil’s strike but Nagpur Star defended well in the last 25 minutes to win the match and open their account. In the other match of the day, Shahnawaz scored a brace as Green Flag defeated Orange City 2-0. Green Flag were right on the target in the very first minute of play when Shahnawaz gave no time to rival goalkeeper to block his shot. He scored another in the fag end of the match (82nd) to ensure his side walk away with three valuable points. On Wednesday: Orange City vs Al Fateh (11 am), Hansraj vs Gouhar FC (1 pm). 

 

Stalemate in Super Division continues FOR second successive day, the teams participating in the Super Division League failed to open their account. After Indian Friends Football Club, Chankapur and Accountant General Recreation Club (AGRC) played out a goalless draw in the opener, the Group A’s first match between Taj Sporting and Eleven Star too ended in a goalless draw at Dr BR Ambedkar Football Stadium in Suyog Nagar. On Wednesday: SRPF vs Nagpur City at 2.30 pm.