MDFA Under-14 – Road to the final: MSSA vs. Mumbai FC

by Balbir Singh December 3, 2016

On 4th December 2016, Mumbai Football Club will feature against M.S.S.A. in the final of (Mumbai District Football Association) MDFA Under-14 Youth League 2016. Both sides have been able to produce solid and commanding performances throughout their campaigns, earning a place in the final, as a result. Before they take center-stage for the final on Sunday, we look back at their journey in the inaugural MDFA under-14 Youth League 2016.

M.S.S.A.
M.S.S.A., who qualified from Group ‘E’, managed to earn maximum points (12) from their four matches, scoring 22 goals, in the process. Along with Sagar S.C., M.S.S.A. was among the only two sides, who did not concede a single goal throughout the group-stage. M.S.S.A.’s 2-0 victory over Phoenix Sports in the quarter-final and a semi-final (4-3) win on penalties over Goans means, they are yet to concede a goal in normal time.

M.S.S.A. began their season with an eventful 7-0 win over PIFA, as Arhan Thaker wrote the headlines with four goals, in the season opener. Although, currently, its Khush Gohil, who leads M.S.S.A.’s scoring chart with eight goals and is two goals behind Hrishikesh Pandey of Mumbai Warriors on the tournament’s top-scorers list.

M.S.S.A.’s matchday 2 performance eclipsed their opening-day 7-0 thumping by a goal, as they triumph 8-0 over Sunday Boys, displaying absolute supremacy. Khush Goel’s two goals helped the side overcome S.P. Academy, in their third match. A five-star (5-0) performance, in their last group-stage match against Madanpura F.C., rounded-up the proceedings.

In the quarter-final tie against Phoenix Sports was the first time M.S.S.A. had to dig deep, as they came out on top at the full-time whistle, winning 2-0. Their toughest hour on their road to the final came against their semi-final opposition Goans; goalless after normal time, M.S.S.A. edged past Goans 4-3 on penalties.

Mumbai F.C.
Mumbai F.C.’s 4-0 thumping of Indian Football Academy marked their start in the league, with four individual scorers contributed to their side’s victory: Raghav Dutta, Hammad Shaikh, Altamash Valsangiar and Siddharth Konkar. In the following matchday, Mumbai F.C. secured maximum points courtesy of Errol Noronha’s solitary goal, making it two wins from two games.

The team scored four goals, again, this time versus Steadfast, as junior Mumbaikars managed to solidify their position at the top with a 4-2 win. A similar feat was achieved against Rhema Sports Foundation, as Mumbai F.C. finished their group stage on a high.

A 9-1 demolition of I.C.L. in the quarter-final gave Mumbai F.C. immense boost going into the semi-final, where they faced serious competitiveness from J.J. Academy. In the semi-final, several close calls could have caused Mumbai F.C. serious damage, but the side stood determined as Karm Mulchandani’s three goals inspired his side’s 3-2 win over J.J. Academy.

As both teams line up against each other on Sunday at Lions Municipal Sports Complex, we at Footballcounter urge you to go and support these enthusiastic and talented youngsters as they set out to achieve something historic. The kick-off is at 10:25 am.