Chheda Nagar Soccer Prodigious beat PIFA Colaba under-19 comfortably

by Balbir Singh January 10, 2016

PIFA Colaba under-19 stumbled to a 3-0 defeat to Chheda Nagar Soccer Prodigious in the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) first Division group ‘F’ match at St. Xavier’s ground, Parel on 10^th January 10, 2016 Sunday afternoon. The win guaranteed Chheda Nagar’s qualification into this year’s Division one plays-offs for the second-consecutive year. Meanwhile, the story of PIFA Colaba under-19s in the Division 1 ends in impasse as a defeat in today’s encounter against Chheda Nagar Prodigious meant even a win in their final Group F game wouldn’t change their fortunes.

Along with the Reserve Bank of India – only against whom – Chheda Nagar Soccer Prodigious lost in the group qualified through to the play-offs. Goals from Aditya Raghavan in the 6^th minute and a 30^th minute goal from Shavez Surve meant Chheda Nagar Soccer Prodigious took a decisive 2-0 lead through into the 2^nd-half of the match. After much tussle, Chheda Nagar Soccer Prodigious’ no.13 Arijit Deb, who played his final game for the club wrapped up the victory in the 4^th minute of second-half of added time to complete a resounding 3-0 win over PIFA Colaba under-19.

The first-45 minutes football started off on a seemingly positive note for both sides, but Chheda Nagar came closer to taking an early lead and did so in the 6^th minute through Aditya Raghavan, who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net from inside the 18 yard box. The remaining half was the exact portrayal of the second-half as PIFA Colaba under-19 committed men forward in search of an equalizer as they let themselves open to get exploited on the break. And, where Chheda Nagar Soccer Prodigious were comfortable defending deep, PIFA Colaba under-19 struggled to deal with the attacking pressure on the break and paid the price for it, when under a similar situation their defence fell apart to slip in another goal in through Shavez Surve in the 30^th minute. The half came to a closure with PIFA Colaba under-19 trying to work their way through, but failed to create and convert any real chance.

The second-half of the game started brightly for Chheda Nagar Soccer Prodigious, who carried on from where they concluded the first-half, when Shavez Surve missed out on a glorious headed chance from a corner on the near-post to extend his side’s lead to three. And after a hat-full of attacks from which Chheda Nagar Soccer Prodigious marginally failed to convert and some wayward decisions from PIFA Colaba under-19 in the final third which held their coach on the touchline shouting instructions spontaneously, it was Chheda Nagar Soccer Prodigious who came closer and closer to scoring the first goal in the second half of the game; in the 14th minute through no. 13 Arijit Deb’s fine effort on goal which was tipped over by the PIFA Colaba under-19 goalkeeper at the very last moment. As the half reached its midway point, PIFA under-19 urged its players to move forward in search on an opener to get something out of the game as they were in a position from where they would only lose by more. The chance came for PIFA under-19 in the 74^th minute, but it proved to be too little too late as they failed to convert from a glorious one-on-one chance. 2 minutes later Chheda Nagar Soccer Prodigious came close to scoring their third goal twice inside seconds when, first, Shavez Surve dragged his shot wide of the right hand post, second, when Shavez Surve again missed a chance to earn himself a potential hat-trick.

Arijit Deb who played his last game for the club stretched off in the final minute of normal time after sustaining a cramp, but went back on the field for the closing the minutes and got himself a farewell goal in the last minute of the game; wrapping up maximum points and a safe passage through to the play-offs.