Air India U19 clinch the Dr Nitu Mandke Memorial Cup 2017

The champs Air India Under-19 players pose with the winner’s trophy alsong with Chief Guest, Jaya Shetty (centre), a former Indian kabaddi player and Hon. Secretary of Karnatak SA and MDFA Executive Managing Committee members at the prize distribution function of the MDFA organised Dr. Nitu Mandke Memorial Trophy ‘Republic Day’ football tournament 2017, and played at the St. Xavier’s ground, Parel.

26th January 2017, Parel: A very consistent performer Air India U19 emerged champions of the ‘Dr Nitu Mandke Memorial Cup 2017’ also called MDFA’s Republic cup tournament sponsored by Indian Football Academy and Mumbai United. The final was played between Air India and GMSC at St. Xavier’s ground, Parel on the historic Republic day, both the teams gave their heart out performance but at the end, Airmen overcame hardworking GMSC by a 3-1 margin via the penalty shootout after the title deciding match ended a goalless draw.

Earlier, Air India outplayed Worli SC and Century Rayon comfortably whereas GMSC got past  Chedda Nagar prodigies and Dena bank on their road to finals.

It wasn’t as easy as both the teams playing their third game of the day, but the electrifying atmosphere and the eagerness to win the historic day tournament gave a boost to the youngsters. Shyam Sawant’s side got the super combination amongst the team players and as a unit, they dominated the entire match and keep the opponent GMSC on the backfoot.

In the quarter-finals Air India thrashed Worli SC by 3-0 margin as Advait Shinde, Dinku Tomba & Adnan Yaligar scored each whereas GMSC on the other side defeated Chheda Nagar prodigies through the penalty shootout as the game ended up in a goalless draw.

Air India again showed their worth as Dinku Tomba & Adnan Yaligar scored each to give 2 goals lead over Century Rayon, the second semi-finalists gave up on a fight over the final berth as in the 13th minute an undoubted red card was shown by Referee Dinesh Yadav to Ligin Fernandez who fouled on Dinku Tomba. The Rayons after an argument with the referees  & the MDFA committee members regarding the card and gave up on playing the rest of the game letting Air India U19 ease to a finalist spot.

Another game for GMSC was decided through penalties as they beat Dena Bank by 3-2 score line where all five goals came in during penalties.

Air India U19 & GMSC deservedly saw themselves playing the final match of the MDFA Republic Cup with all the spectators to witness the high-intensity match. GMSC defended well to avoid leaking any goals and kept the opponent away from the scoring zone and succeeding them to play tie-breaker. Advait Shinde, Ashwin Ahire and Elvis Rodrigues did no mistake while taking the penalty whereas, except Hitesh Patel from the trailing side, rest all fail to convert their chances allowing the youngsters of Air India U19 have their hands on the glittering ‘Dr Nitu Mandke Memorial Cup 2017’ trophy.

Player of the Tournament was awarded to GMSC’s striker Roshan Karmaran with a cheque of Rs.5000.

Runners Up trophy was awarded to GMSC along with a cheque of Rs.20000.

Winners Trophy and a cheque of Rs.30000 was presented to Air India team.

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

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…

Share

Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign

MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…

Share

OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai

Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…

Share