Virar Camp wins the 29th Bipin Memorial Title

by Kaushal Shukla December 22, 2015

Virar camp won the 29th Bipin Memorial Title after a thrilling 3-2 win over Churchgate camp in the Final held at the MSSA Ground in South Mumbai on Sunday 21st December 2015. Virar were crowned Champions of one of Mumbai’s oldest football competition at the grassroot level. Some great names in the Indian game like Steven Dias have grown into prominence through this tournament which has a special place in Mumbai’s footballing world.

In this showpiece final, it was Churchgate who took an early lead through Sonu Tamang whose corner kick went straight into the goal as the Virar goalkeeper failed to read the trajectory of Tamang’s kick.

However, Virar’s Ashish Khaire brought his team on level terms in the 13th minute, when he reproduced Tamang’s heroics at the other end and send a corner kick in directly.

With the game brilliantly poised, Virar’s Vishnu Menon produced a moment of brilliance as his great individual run opened up the Churchgate defence, allowing Menon to set up Ashish Kaire to put Virar in front for the first time in the game.

Churchgate who were stunned by the Virar fightback responded well and seized control of the ball. Churchgate midfielders, Manan Dang and Surendra Lamatman were trying to inspire a Churchgate comeback by dictating the play for Churchgate, but a well organised Virar side managed to protect the lead.

But post the half hour mark, Mitesh Tandel struck a superb free kick for Churchgate which nestled into the back of the net to pull them level again at 2-2.

When it seemed that Churchgate had the momentum to clinch the victory, Virar once again showed their quality upfront as Shubham Nikam stole the winner for Virar after he was set-up by a breathtaking run from Leander Gonsalves who brilliantly dribbled past the Churchgate defender on the left flank to set Nikam for a tap in.

Virar held on for the victory, which crowned them the Champions of the prestigious 29th Bipin Memorial Football Tournament.

Virar’s hero in the Final Ashish Khaire was adjudged the Best Player of the Tournament.

Mitesh Tandel was the best player from the Churchgate camp, while Kartik Chauhan was the best from the Colaba camp. Kandivali Camp’s best player award went to John Mathew, Kalyan’s best was Amit Singh. Rishabh Gupta was Mulund Camp’s pick of the players while Virar’s best player was Vishnu Menon.

Steven Dias recalled his time playing in this prestigious tournament and wished all the kids best for their futures. “I also started my carrier at the Bipin Memorial Football Tournament, so being invited as a chief guest gives me great pleasure. I wish the young players all the best,” added Dias as he spoke after the Final of the Bipin Memorial Football Tournament on Sunday.

The Final was also graced by some other esteemed guests from Mumbai’s football fraternity which included Mr. Uday Mukherjee from the Mumbai District Football Association, Harish Rao, the ex-Mahindra United Coach and WIFA Assistant Secretary Wali Mohammed.