K.C College makes an incredible comeback to win University College Football title

In a thrilling finale of University College Football Tournament 2016-17 at Sports Pavilion, Marine Lines, K.C College made an unbelievable comeback against the defending champions Pillai College to win the game 3-2 after trailing 2-0 with only 15 minutes left on the clock.
Pillai College started the match in the best possible way they wished for and completely dominated the match proceedings for the whole first-half.
The breakthrough came when in the 21st minute, Kartik Yenurkar brilliantly headed in from a corner to give defending champions a solitary lead.
Nikhil Poojary, Pillai’s College talisman had a fantastic first-half. He continuously threatened K.C College’s backline with such ease.
With only two minutes left in the first-half, last year’s best player Mohammad Ishaq doubled Pillai’s lead with a towering header which was followed by none other than Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature celebration.
The dugout jumped in joy as Pillai College went into the break with two goals advantage.
In the second-half, Pillai started off from where they left as they kept on attacking in order to find the third crucial goal which would put the match beyond Pillai’s reach.
K.C College’s left back Sudhakar Ranjan and Swagat Shinde defended well to prevent any goals. With just 15 minutes left, the match completely turned on its heads.
KC’s Substitute Arish Sutaria made a huge impact in the last stages of the match. His vital touch inside the box found star player Valentine Pereira unmarked, who smashed his effort from his left foot which deflected off goalkeeper Nitin’s leg and went in.
Soon, the pressure started to take its toll on Pillai College. Three minutes after pulling one goal back, K.C College’s Sudhakar Ranjan receive a pass from Arish outside the box, and with his deadly left foot, the number 7 struck it so hard that was impossible for any goalkeeper in the world to stop it, let alone Pillai’s custodian Nitin.
The score was level now at 2-2 with 10 minutes to go. It was now or never for both the determined colleges.
But it was K.C College’s day after all. Just a minute after getting the much-needed equalizer, Arish Sutaria went through on goal completely one-on-one with goalkeeper Nitin, and without any hesitation, he swiftly rolled his shot beneath the goalkeeper to make it 3-2 for K.C College.
K.C College’s dugout erupted in joy as some of the players even entered the field to celebrate with their players. Meanwhile, Arish was booked for removing his jersey while celebrating.
Suddenly, it was all in for Pillai’s players. They had to score to take the match into penalties. The defending champions have only seven minutes to equalize.
All the pressure was on KC’s goalkeeper Nishith Nair. Nikhil Poojary, Mohammad Ishaq all came agonizingly close to level the score but couldn’t manage to beat Nishith as he made some fabulous saves to keep K.C College’s hope alive.
The referee blew the final whistle and it was K.C College who emerged as the new Champions of University College Football Tournament.
There were sorrow, tears in Pillai College’s dugout, which is quite explanatory considering they were very close to defend their title. Though they lost the final, one can’t take anything from Pillai’s College. They were brilliant throughout the tournament.
Meanwhile, K.C College’s players and coaches were celebrating with their hearts out. They stepped up when it mattered the most, and that’s what counts in the Final.
I-league / Indian Football Team
Adaption at the heart of Nikhil Poojary’s Comeback story
NEW DELHI: Nikhil Poojary is back in the national team after almost four years. His last outing – the 0-0 draw against Qatar in the World Cup Qualifiers in Doha in…
WIFA Inter District / WIFA Youth Championship
Goals Galore: WIFA Inter District Championship Kicks Off with a Bang
The highly anticipated WIFA Inter District Championship kicked off in Shirpur, Dhule with a series of exciting matches that left spectators on the edge of their seats. With two grounds…
Alberto Noguera pens one year contract extension with Mumbai City FC
Mumbai, 23 May 2023: Mumbai City FC are delighted to announce that Spanish midfielder Alberto Noguera has signed a new one-year contract, extending his stay with the club until the end of…
WIFA Inter District Tournament for Junior Boys Begins May 24
The Western India Football Association (WIFA) is gearing up to host the highly anticipated Inter District Tournament for Junior Boys, set to take place from May 24th to May 30th,…
Treble-winner Dangmei Grace loves to lead from the front
NEW DELHI: Six months ago, Dangmei Grace returned to India after winning both the league and cup titles with PFC Sevinch Karshi in Uzbekistan. On home soil, she added another trophy…
Hero 2nd Division / I-League Qualifiers / I-league
Delhi FC crowned Hero 2nd Division champions earn promotion to Hero I-League
With a 3-1 victory over Ambernath United Atlanta on Friday, May 26, 2023, Delhi FC were crowned the 2022-23 Hero 2nd Division champions and secured promotion to next season’s Hero…
Next Gen Cup: ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC play out a goalless draw
ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC played out a goalless draw in their last group stage fixture of the Reliance Foundation presents Premier League Next Generation Cup at Navi Mumbai…
Next Gen Cup: Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Sudeva FC 2-0
Wolverhampton Wanderers qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation presents Premier League Next Generation Cup following a convincing 2-0 victory against Sudeva Delhi FC at the Reliance Corporate Park…
I-league / Indian Football Team
Lajong on cloud nine, proud to represent Meghalaya in Hero I-League again
NEW DELHI: After the final whistle at the SSA Football Ground in Shillong, despite the fist pumps, the jumping high fives and the obvious jubilation, there is no way Shillong Lajong’s…
Everton seal second spot in Group A with 2-1 victory over RFYC
Everton FC defeated the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) 2-1 in a closely contested fixture of the Reliance Foundation presents Premier League Next Generation Cup in Navi Mumbai today. The…
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…