Mumbai Under-14 reach final of Inter District Sub-Junior for the second time in a row

by Balbir Singh December 10, 2016

Palghar, December 09, 2016: Mumbai Under-14 marched into finals by recording a comprehensive 5-0 win against Sangli District in a semi-final match of the WIFA-Maharashtra State Inter-District Sub-junior boys’ football championship, organised by the Palghar Dhanau Taluka Sports Association on Friday

Mumbai Under-14 side improved their performance in the second-half to score four goals after Strikers Nihaal Dhundwekar gave his side a first-half lead on 23 minutes. He was also the star of Mumbai’s fine win with two goals in the 30th and 79th minutes. Consistent scorer Aryan Gandharva (42nd min), Joel Barnes (64th min) and Nathan Murzello (73rd min) contributed one each to complete Mumbai’s winning tally.

The opening goal of the match had to wait a while as desperation grew in the Mumbai Under-14 ranks. Despite having dominated the match early on, Mumbai Under-14 grabbed the first goal midway through the half when Nathan Murzello found Nihaal Dhundwekar to produce a fine goal to put their team ahead.

Mumbai Under-14 concluded in the first half with not but room for improvement and better quality in front of goal to display. When the proceedings of the second half began, Mumbai Under-14 looked a lot more confident in their approach sticking a string of passes together from the offset.

The second goal came shortly after, in much-anticipated fashion, as Mumbai Under-14 came close to scoring in the prequel to attempt which led to the goal. Shane Aranha was credited with the strike from Arya Gandharva in the 50th minute of the match.

A third goal came courtesy of Joel Barnes; Rony Chowdhry who also played a pivotal role in Mumbai Under-14’s quarterfinal triumph turned provider here as he helped Barnes to put Mumbai Under-14 firmly in control.

The fourth goal put the final nail in the coffin with Mumbai rounding up a five goals flurry as the referee blew the full-time whistle; Nathan Murzello who turned scorer this time completed the game with a goal having set up the first goal of the match himself.

Meanwhile in quarter-final encounters, Nagpur District and Pune District scored contrasting victories to set up a clash in the last four.

Nagpur overpowered Latur District 5-0 to advance to the last four. Dev Amesar scored a brace of goals, while Furquen Raza, Hasnain Tanveer and Mayan Joge scored one each for the Nagpur side.

Pune did well to get the better of Akola 3-2 in a fighting contest. For Pune,  Sufiam Shaikh struck two goals and Anish Gaware got one while Akola scored their goals through Arbaz Khan and Mohd. Faizal.

Results – quarter-finals: Nagpur 5 (Dev Amesar 2, Furquen Raza, Hasnain Tanveer, Mayan Joge) beat Latur 0.

Pune 3 (Sufiam Shaikh 2, Anish Gaware) beat Akola 2 (Arbaz Khan, Mohd. Faizal) beat Akola 2 (Arbaz Khan, Mohd. Faizal).

Semi-final: Mumbai 5 (Nihal Dudhwadkan 2, Aryan Gandharva, Joel Barnes, Nathan Murzello) beat Sangli 0.