Himesh Mistry’s wonder strike sinks PIFA Colaba U19

by Prasad bhutkar January 7, 2016

Himesh Mistry’s wonder volley gives Somaiya VidyaVihar a vital 1-0 win over PIFA Colaba in the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) First Division game at St Xavier’s ground Parel on Wednesday afternoon.

A single goal was enough for the Somaiya team as they managed to hold on to it until the full time whistle. Somaiya VidyaVihar were on the front foot from the kick-off and rounding off their attacking pressure was their midfielder number 8 Himesh Mistry with sensational half volley, over the top of the keeper and into the net giving them the lead in just 21 seconds.

After taking the lead, Somaiya VidyaVihar had a host of chances to make it 2-0 only for PIFA Colaba goal keeper to make a string of saves keeping them in the game. The best chance came in the 10^th minute when a cut back from the right side was saved by PIFA goalkeeper. PIFA came forward in the 12^th minute and got a free-kick for their efforts only for the Somaiya goalkeeper to make an easy save.

From then on most of the play took in the midfield where both sides struggled to keep possession with the opponent making key interceptions and tackles.  PIFA looked to equalise playing a highline but a misplaced pass released Somaiya’s 13 Siddhesh Bhagwat on goal with the PIFA keeper having to come out and clear the ball for a throw in. Somaiya’s Pulkit Upadhay was very lively on the right hand side making some fantastic runs behind the PIFA defense putting in crosses on for PIFA keeper to make the saves. At half time the scored remained 1-0 in favour of Somaiya VidyaVihar.

Both the teams played a well-constructed passing game. But both defences were up for it intercepting most of the balls thwarting any potential goal scoring move.

In the second half PIFA Colaba were chasing the game as they looked to equalise playing a highline. Somaiya VidyaVihar kept their shape and were looking to release their captain Abhay Amin on the break at times. And he could have made it 2-0 on for the PIFA keeper to make a well timed tackle. In the very next minute Somaiya Pulkit was through on goal who took a weak shot which was saved again.

PIFA could create a couple of chances but were let down by their finishing as the shots were fired over the goal. In the end it was a win for Somaiya VidyaVihar who could have won by a greater margin had they converted their opportunities. For PIFA Colaba they can thank their keeper for keeping them in the game till the last minute and can really take a lot of positives from this game.