Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush Soccer crowned champions of MDFA U16 Youth Challenge 2016

by Balbir Singh December 31, 2016

Lions Club, Mumbai: On 31 December 2016, Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush Soccer hosted Our Lady of Fatima in the final of Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) under-16 Youth Challenge 2016.

As proceedings at the end of regulatory time ended in 2-2, the game and the tournament were won by Mumbai Rush Soccer by the narrowest of margins – 5-4 on penalties.

Mumbai Rush Soccer came into the finals on the back of a hard fought and a nail-biting semifinal win over Bharat F.C. by 1-0; Joyson Chettiar’s strike was enough to separate the two teams at the full-time whistle.

Meanwhile, Our Lady of Fatima had a similar fortune, as they got past Bombay F.C. 1-0 courtesy of Mooen Shaikh’s goal.

Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush Soccer opened the scoring through their brilliant player Tyson Patel in the 18th minute of the match, to put his side in the driving seat in the final.

But the enthusiasm and joy were cut short when Kevin D’Souza levelled matters two minutes later in the 20th minute for Our Lady of Fatima.

As the first-half reached its final five minutes, Tyson Patel found time and space to guide home the second goal in the 26th minute.

The commencement of the second half saw a more composed and poised look at the proceedings. Without any goal-bound action for 20 minutes, Bhupati Chandra’s goal in the 50th minute levelled matters for Our Lady of Fatima later on in the second half. A scoreline of 2-2 meant the match headed into a penalty shootout at the full-time whistle.

In a tense and nervy finale, Mumbai Rush Soccer and Our Lady of Fatima were already on the edge with every move made; and a penalty shootout added to the intensity on the day.

As the winning penalty went past the Our Lady of Fatima’s goalkeeper, Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush Soccer cheered in joy as if the festive season now had an all new and satisfying reason for a celebration at long last.

After some excited round of matches, Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush Soccer were crowned the champions of the inaugural MDFA under-16 Youth Challenge 2016.

Click here for the photo gallery of the finale!

Also, click here for the photo gallery of the third place!