Bombay Gymkhana vs Juhu Sparks ends in a stalemate

by Prasad bhutkar January 16, 2016

Bombay Gymkhana and Juhu Sparks played out a 1-1 draw in the Mumbai District Football Association ( MDFA) Super Division match on Saturday afternoon at St Xavier’s ground Parel.

A match that experienced a delayed kick-off took some time to kick start with both teams looking restless. Bombay Gymkhana entered -the match high on confidence after their 4-3 win over Salcette and did not disappoint keeping most of the possession. Both teams were looking to launch long balls for their centre forwards. In a half that saw only three shots and targets, Bombay Gymkhana went into the half time with a one goal lead.

The first shot on target came in the 7^th minute when Gymkhana number 5 Harmeet released, forward Siddhanta Pinto down the right who’s shot on goal was comfortably collected by Juhu keeper. But the breakthrough was not far, when the same player Pinto cut in from the right to finish beyond the legs of the Juhu keeper. Juhu Sparks could have equalised few minutes later when number 17 could not control a ball over the top spurning a chance to score. A sequence of misplaced passes and fouls leading to time wastage that finally brought the half to an end.

The second half started with Juhu Sparks player being told to sit out after they could not arrange a proper jersey with a number. Momentarily they were playing with ten men. But surprisingly for Juhu who looked full of energy pressing their opponents scored one of the goals of the tournament when their striker managed to meet a lovely ball over the top from midfielder Mahesh. Reaching ahead of the keeper who came rushing to collect it,number 17  Nikhil Dsouza  was able to apply a decisive touch which took it past everyone into the back of the net. Bombay Gymkhana were quick to get out of their block when their left back made a brilliant run behind the defense to pass it to Harmeet who skipped past defenders to fire over the goal. A half chance that could have put them ahead. Juhu soon had their player back after the decision from the MDFA Committee officials. A match that looked to have come back to life became dull in the closing moments. None of the teams threatning the other with clear cut chances.

Juhu Sparks would be happy with a draw as they played most of the match with ten men and without any substitute on the bench. On the other hand Bombay Gymkhana will be distraught in a match where they had a man advantage for most of the game failed to capitalise on it.