V-United lift the El Shaddai United Cup 2015

by Kaushal Shukla July 6, 2015

Vikhroli’s V-United clinched the El Shaddai United Cup 2015 after winning a pulsating final encounter against Sunday Boys by the margin of 2-0 at Mhatre Ground in Vikhroli on Sunday, 5th July 2015.

The final lived up to the occasion as both the teams dished out some scintillating end to end football. The first half though was edged by Sunday Boys. The men from Bhandup played with a great tempo at the start to peg back the local side deep into their own half.

V-United did well to resist the pressure early on in the first half as the locals, inspired by some heroic saves by their goalkeeper managed to keep Sunday Boys at bay.

But the pick of the saves was made by his opposite number, in goal for Sunday Boys who had to be at his best to deny a thumping header from the V-United offender before halftime.

The second half was an evenly fought contest as both teams went full throttle, making it a breathtaking contest as chances were rarely at a premium at either ends.

The crucial moment came in the dying minutes of the game when Harshil Somaiya drilled a low effort past the Sunday Boys goalkeeper to put V-United within touching distance of the glory.

The victory was sealed just few minutes later when V-United grabbed a second on the counter through Amit Singh who had an impressive tournament.

V-United were deserving winners after knocking out some of the top teams on their path to glory, starting off with Kapadia Nagar in the first round. They followed that up with a shootout win over much fancied Navpada FC in the Quarters before another late win against hosts El Shaddai United in the semi finals got them to the finals.

Sunday Boys too brushed aside some seasoned campaigners in Mumbai Boys, Creekside and hosts El Shaddai United Juniors on their way to the final.

El Shaddai United Junior beat their senior team to the third place with success from the shootout. Their veteran goalkeeper Ravi Shetty also bagged the prize for the Best Goalkeeper.

Amit Singh who wrapped up V-United’s final victory was adjudged the Best Player of the Tournament as he took home a magnificent pair of Nike’s studs.

Overall the tournament had great quality all around and we could easily have had completely different top four. Many teams like Dadar Young Boys left an impression but were heavily unfortunate as they were at the wrong end of a toss decider.

The referees too had a great day at the office, matching the quality and the standards of one of the most finely organized tournaments in the city.

But the day belonged to V-United who lifted the coveted trophy on their home turf and thereby confirming the Mhatre Ground as their fortress.