Friendly: Air India v Kabul Bank FC

Two sublime strikes by Kailash Patil enabled Air India to register a 2-2 draw against visiting Kabul Bank FC from Afghanistan in a friendly encounter at the Cooperage ground where a handful of spectators bore witness to the universal language of the beautiful game. 

After ninety minutes of free-flowing, end to end football, the Afghan Bankers performed remarkably against their professional counterparts, almost nudging a win in a frantic close to the game.

Back Story 

Football, like many sports, was discouraged in Afghanistan when the Taliban ruled from 1996 to 2001. The national team attempted to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 2006 - after a self-imposed exile between 1984 and 2003. For players, a team like Kabul Bank FC provided the security of a job along with a rare opportunity to pursue professional football in the war-torn nation.

That Air India took to the pitch with a lineup comprising of a string of players that had took on Sporting Clube de Goa in an i-League encounter barely twenty four hours ago at the very same arena spoke volumes of their commitment to this special friendly.

Kick-off!

Surprisingly enough, the visitors immediately went on the offensive, using both flanks to good effect before finally opening the scoring in the 18th minute.  A lapse in defense by the Airmen inside the penalty area provided the Bankers’ forward with a clear strike on goal – one that he grabbed instantly with a low, drilled shot past the hapless keeper and into the far corner of the net. Goal! 1-0 to Kabul Bank FC!

The Airmen restored parity barely ten minutes later courtesy of a piece of individual brilliance by Kailash Patil. Displaying flawless dribbling skills to slalom past four Afghani defenders at the edge of the area, the striker unleashed a powerful strike that defied physics by rattling both posts before finding its target. Goal.1-1. The Equalizer!

Cheeky Chip 

On to the second half and Kailash doubled his team and personal tally with yet another beauty. Running on to a long ball from midfield with tha Afghan defenders breathing down his neck, the striker cheekily chipped the ball a good thirty yards over the charging goalkeeper and into an unattended net. Goal! 2-1 to Air India.

Undeterred, the visitors marched on and responded within minutes to set up a fascinating final phase to the game. The Air India keeper was rendered helpless when a precise cross from the right flank was met by a powerful header from an unmarked Afghan striker at the far post. Goal! 2-2. Game On!     

Onslaught! 

It was all one way traffic in the closing stages as wave after wave of Afghan attacks pushed the home team back into their own penalty area. The Bankers came within whiskers of grabbing a winner on three separate occasions with their strikes on goal going marginally wide of the target.

Eventually, Referee Bhatena brought the game to a close and it ended all square on a truly special afternoon at the Cooperage, an inspiring ninety minutes where all twenty-two players emerged as winners scoreline stating otherwise.