M.S. Police clinch maximum points against Salcette F.C. via a 90th minute Arjun Yadav winner

by Balbir Singh December 17, 2015

In the Mumbai District Football Association Super Division Group ‘A’ game, M.S. Police tussled opposite Salcette F.C. at St. Xavier’s Ground, Parel on 16th December 2015. A 90th-minute winner from Arjun Yadav sealed a deserved win for M.S. Police in an otherwise, underwhelming game.

As the first-45-minutes of the footballing action came to a partial closure, the game was a handful of goals short at 0-0. Maharashtra State Police for a majority of the first-half dominated attacking-wise while, Salcette fancied their chances on the counterattack.

The best chance of the half for M.S. Police came when they received a free-kick near the halfway-line around the 25 minute mark, no.7 Swapnil Mane took charge and didn’t miss the opportunity to test the goalkeeper, but the latter was equal to task in hand, making a fine stop. At the most, M.S. Police created just two genuine goal-scoring chances for all their dominance throughout the first-45 minutes; lacking genuine chance conversion instincts, although one would argue: a hatful of fine stops from both goalies made at either ends of the field, kept the scoreline at 0-0.

Into the second-half of the game, and Salcette made a fine start to the half, creating a number of chances, but failed to convert, largely due to some last-ditch defending from Maharashtra State Police. As the half reached its midway-point, M.S. Police came-back into the game and played some really good football to get past Salcette’s defensive block, ultimately failing to capitalize on the initial good-work.

The game became increasingly frustrating with the scoreline still at 0-0, and some nasty and fierce tackling became a common site. In the 30th minute, M.S.P were presented with a great chance on the counterattack, but no.25 Haneef Sheikh decided to take an early shot, which he dragged wide. In the next 5 minutes, M.S. Police were presented with a couple of opportunities to score, but didn’t utilize them to the fullest as they were hit weak and straight into the hands of the Salcette goalkeeper. Haneef Sheikh, later also dragged a glorious headed opportunity wide in the 85th minute; possibly, the best opportunity M.S. Police generated throughout the game.

The goal did arrive for M.S. Police from no.5 Arjun Yadav as they deservedly went ahead in the 90th minute of the game. The goal arrived much to the delight of the M.S. Police staff, on-field players and substitutes’ delight, who were shouting to death in frustration, but packed their kits in utter satisfaction.