Juhu Sparks and Salcette SC play out a 0-0 draw

by Prasad bhutkar February 2, 2016

Juhu Sparks played out a 0-0 draw against Salcette SC in the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA), Super Division match held on Tuesday evening at St Xavier’s ground Parel.

Juhu Sparks and Salcette SC faced off in a gruelling encounter as both teams played an entertaining end to end affair. Juhu were positive from the kickoff whistle and looked confident on the ball not allowing Salcette any time on the ball. And they very nearly scored when a well timed cross down the right bounced kindly for their striker who brought it down well only to hit it straight at the keeper. The keeper was very fortunate that the ball stuck to his hands not allowing Juhu to put in the rebound. From then on the game became a roller coaster ride as Salcette created chances of their own to go in front. A header from the corner failed to remain on target and a cross from the right was fired over the crossbar.

Juhu Sparks came very close from a set piece of their own when the ball from a corner was curled in right in the six yard box only to head it wide. That was close. Salcette looked like they would take the lead when their striker was through on goal only for the Juhu centre back to make a last ditch challenge which was a certain foul and a sending off. But he escaped with a yellow as Salcette could only manage to curl the freekick wide of the post. Both teams headed with deadlocked at 0-0

The second half promised to be a nerve wrecking half only for both teams to reach the box or the six yard area and waste golden opportunities. Juhu Sparks did brilliantly to put pressure on the keeper as they failed to convert the chance when the Salcette keeper had slipped off  in an attempt to get back .

Salcette stayed back and countered a few attacks as they looked to score that all important goal which would turn out to be the winner. But a one-two between two Salcette players was cleared from inside the box by Juhu defense. At fulltime both teams shared a point as they failed to convert the chances azt their disposal. The finishing component went missing in today’s game as one clear cut finish would have sealed the game.