MDFA 3rd Division: 28 teams to battle in Play-Off round

by Chittu Shetty January 11, 2018

As the lowest division of Mumbai district football enters its play-off stage, footballcounter takes a brief look at the teams that has qualified for the next round of promotion battle.

After receiving a record more than 100 teams for third division of MDFA, the organisation had to draw out 14 groups (A-N) with top two of each entering play-off round. While a lot of teams started out for the first time, a lot of other clubs decided to field their B team in the group thus giving a lot of players playing time.

After the completion of the playoff round, the top two teams from each group and two third best teams will be promoted to the second division for the next Season. Points secured and goals scored and conceded in the preliminary league will not be carried forward for the playoff league. These 16 qualified teams from Play-Off will also go on to play knockout games to determine the eventual winner of third division of 2017-18 Season.

Play-Off Group A:

The group consist of two of the unbeaten teams of the division: Bassiem United and Renaissance. While Bassiem United only points to be dropped came up against Group leader South Mumbai FC, which ended in a 2-2 draw, Renaissance was a team that steamrolled all its opponent to register a clean sweep in group C. The group also has Youth Soccer Academy and Ruffians (A) with the latter side tipping VipulGorai FC in group D table on head-to-head basis.

Play-Off Group B:

Group B has Holy Cross United, a side with one of the meanest defence of the division; the team did not concede a single goal on their way to the group D top spot. They are joined with Group A and Group B leaders in South Mumbai FC and Tarun Mitra Mandal respectively with latter coming on the back of six wins and 1 draw. IIT Powai (B) is the fourth team in the Play-off group B.

Play-Off Group C:

The U-17 KSA side will be a team to beat in the division after they finished group E unbeaten and on top. They are joined by United Villagers Welfare Association, a side with one of the lethal strike force as they have shipped in 22 goals in 7 games. Om Saidham Seva Mandal and Future SA are the sides to join the group after finishing at second spot in group F and H respectively.

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Play-Off Group D:

In group D of Play-Off stage, Judean United SC and Koli Samaj are joined by group favourites O’sheish Football Club, who like its 2^nd division counterpart are yet to concede a goal in the division. Alpresco FC, who topped group H unbeaten with five wins and two draws are the fourth side in the group.

Play-Off Group E:

Sirf Keval and Kapadia Nagar, group leaders of group I & J respectively are joined by Group J side Kapadia Nagar. None of the three side faced any loss during their group stage while playing out just one draw and winning all others. However, The Soccer Academy, who edged Alpha FA in group L on head-to-head basis qualified to the Play-off round with four wins, 1 draws and 2 losses. Although inconsistent sometimes shown by their just 1 goal difference so far, the team is known to grind out their opponent often winning in closely contested low scoring affairs.

Play-Off Group F:

In group F, Maurya Youngstar FA (B) are joined by United Football Club both sides coming second in Group I and J respectively. Despite not conceding even once in the league, Khiladi Connect fell short of one point to top Group K behind Pioneer Residency to join Play-off as the third team, while the fourth side Los Galacticos entered play-off group after topping group L unbeaten.

Play-Off Group G:

Another side to clean sweep its group, Anushakti Nagar will be joined by runner-up RCF Colony for the play-off round. Both sides played in group M of the initial round with the former yet to concede even once while the latter’s only points to be dropped coming after a loss to Anushakti Nagar. The other two teams to join them are group N sides, Adarsh FC and India EX-Service Man SA with the former leading the group N table of initial rounds

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