Samuel FA come from behind to defeat Indian Gymkhana

by Bhakti Govari September 5, 2015

Samuel Football Academy recovered from going a goal down to beat Indian Gymkhana 3-1 in the 2nd Division of the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) at St. Xavier’s Ground in Parel on Friday, 4th September 2015.

The game had a bright start as both teams had good openings in the first ten minutes of the game. Clifford D’Souza couldn’t convert for Samuel FA, while Harvinder G’s shot went inches wide of the post for Indian Gymkhana.

Just as the early spark in the game seemed to be vanishing Sandeep Bhandari struck the opening goal for Indian Gymkhana as he whipped a shot from edge of the box inside the far corner.

But Indian Gymkhana’s joy was short lived as Samuel FA equalized just a minute before the half time whistle as Clifford D’Souza’s low effort crept into the back of the net and changed the complexion of the game going into half time.

The second half got off to a slow start as both teams took a while to get going after the restart. But the game came to boil in the 50th minute when Sidharth Arya fired Samuel FA into the lead after being nicely fed by Anas Thim. It was a well constructed goal by Samuel FA which crucially put them in front for the first time in the game.

Indian Gymkhana tried to get their act together as they chased an equaliser. But with time running out, Indian Gymkhana pressed forward in desperation, leaving space behind their backline for Samuel FA to expose.

Samuel FA did just that and wrapped up the three points six minutes from time when Rajiv Pardeshi of SFA did well to skip past Indian Gymkhana’s Rahul Sanas and cut back for Shivam who controlled the ball and smashed it into the back of the net.

With a two goal deficit to make up for Indian Gymkhana had a mountain to climb and failed to further add to their score as Samuel FA registered a win.