Valankani Boys edged past YMCA 1-0

by Siddharth Yadav October 26, 2015

On 26^th October, 2015 Valankani Boys produced a strong determined approach by pulling off a close 2-1 win against YMCA in the 1st Division match of Mumbai District Football Association League (MDFA), played at the St. Xavier’s ground, Parel.

Strikers Alistair Fernandes and Reuel Kunder were bang on target for Valankani Boys in either half respectively while Sajid Shabbir got the lone goal for YMCA.

Valankani Boys had a bright start into the game as YMCA struggled at the back in the early stages of the match. The breakthrough came just after thirteen minutes when Alistair Fernandes was through on goal, having only goalkeeper to beat Alistair struck a low left foot drive into the net to give Valainkani Boys a vital lead.

YMCA almost equalized later in the first-half when Sajid Shabbir’s well taken free kick went just over the bar. Moments later, Valankani Boys Arnold M. too fancied a long range strike which just whispered past the post.

Valankani Boys went into the break with a one goal cushion.

It didn’t took YMCA much time to equalize in the second-half. Just seven minutes into the second-half, Sajid Shabbir’s stunning free kick went right into the top left corner to level the score at 1-1.

Valankani Boys goalkeeper surely didn’t expected this where he was left helpless as Sajid’s thunderbolt sailed past him.

YMCA kept dominating the match since Sajid’s goal as they once again came close to score. Arshad Sabir’s right footed shot inside the box rattled the bar and cleared off the line, had Arshad’s shot went in it would have changed the match completely.

As YMCA were desperate to find their second goal, Valankani Boys took the advantage and scored from a brilliant counter on 56^th minute.

Frank D’Souza set Reuel Kunder through on goal who acrobatically rounds off YMCA’s goalkeeper and placed his effort into the empty net to take the lead.

It was surely not YMCA’s day as Faiz Ansari, who could have managed to do better couldn’t place his shot properly as he was denied from just five yards.

Sajid Ansari who equalized for YMCA earlier in the match saw his free kick just wide off the post which could have been another terrific free kick from the YMCA’s No. 10.

In the dying minutes, Valankani Boys Reuel Kunder had the opportunity to seal the match as he was one on one with YMCA’s goalkeeper, his poor shot was well saved by Yakib Khan.

Valankani Boys defended their lead in the dying minutes to secure a hard fought win against a unlucky YMCA side.