Rahul Mitra Mandal breezes past KSA U19 in play-offs

by Siddharth Yadav May 24, 2015

In a tight encounter, Rahul Mitra Mandal (RMM) defeated Karnataka Sports Association U19 (KSA U19) 2-1 in MDFA (Mumbai Football District Association) play-offs to reach next round. Things could have gone in KSA U19’s way had they been clinical in front of goal.

Striker Akshay Chavan of Rahul Mitra Mandal scored both the goals for the boys in yellow. Though just minutes remaining Govind Rathod of KSA U19 scored through a brilliant header from Akash Rathod’s cross but it was too late too little.

Rahul Mitra Mandal started to dominate early and all the hard work did paid off when Akshay Chavan astonishingly dribbled past couple of defenders and shot at the right corner which got a touch of goalkeeper’s hand and went in. It was a mixture of Akshay’s brilliance and Sahil Khali’s (KSA U19 goalkeeper) error.

Midway into the first half, KSA U19 missed a glorious chance when Govind Rathod placed a shot on keeper’s right side which went just wide. It was an easy chance considering KSA U19 standards but things were really looking clumsy.

It was clearly seen that Rahul Mitra Mandal was much more physical than KSA U19 which proved to be beneficial for the boys in yellow. With just two minutes remaining, a superb linkup play between Akshay Chavan and Pranal Shetty made the things beyond RMM’s reach when Akshay finishes it with his right foot which comfortably beat the goalkeeper.

As the things stood, KSA U19 needed to score two goals in injury time to take the match in penalties; a precise cross from Akash Rathod found Govind Rathod who headed it in right corner and made the deficit down to just one goal. But it was too late too little for KSA U19 as the referee blows the whistle and it was Akshay Chavan’s heroics which sends Rahul Mitra Mandal in next round of play-offs.