Mervin Stephen’s hat-trick leads Maharashtra to emphatic win

by Siddharth Yadav February 16, 2016

Mumbai, February 16: Maharashtra proved too strong for minnows Daman & Diu as they coasted to a thumping 9-0 victory in a West Zone qualifying round match of the 70^th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy, and played at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco, Goa, on Tuesday.

This was Maharashtra’s third win in a row after their 6-2 and 8-0 victory over Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh respectively. Maharashtra’s goal tally has been increased to a mammoth 23 goals in just three matches.

Striker Mervin Stephen spearheading the Maharashtra attack notched up a fine hat-trick, which also is his 6th goal of the Championships. Mervin currently has scored in each of the Maharashtra’s matches and will be further looking to add to his tally when they face Goa on 18th February. Whereas Harlod Fernandes registered a brace of goals while Abhishek Ambekar, Wayne Vaz, Shrikant Veeramallu and Raynier Fernandes chipped in with one each to seal the big win.

Abhishek Ambekar, Shrikant Veermallu, Harold Fernandes and Raynier Fernandes has been also Maharashtra’s best performers who are showing no sign of mercy in each of their matches. In their very first match Abhishek Ambekar was on the score sheet too with two goals against Gujarat, whereas Ex Air India’s attacker Shrikant is contributing his part in scoring and as well as by providing goals for Maharashtra.

Their next opponent Goa will be surely planning something big in hope to overcome Maharashtra where a win will help Goa topping the West Zone group. Goa defeated Daman & Diu, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat 11-1, 1-0 and 6-0 respectively to stay in the contention to top the group.

Meanwhile on the other hand, Maharashtra just need a draw to top the table but surely the players and management will be aiming to go for all three points on Thursday.

Result – Maharashtra 9 (Mervin Stephen 10^th, 23^rd, 63^rd, Abhishek Ambekar 26^th, Wayne Vaz 40^th, Shrikant Veeramallu 50^th, Harold Fernandes 70^th, 75^th, Raynier Fernandes 89^th) beat Daman & Diu 0.