St. Andrews College makes it seven in a row
1st March 2018, Mumbai: For the seventh year running, Bandra’s St. Andrews College reigned supreme in the Mumbai University Girls’ Football Championship. The Bandra-based college won the Championship on goal difference as they were tied with Pillai’s College on seven points each. In the culminated match, St. Andrews College defeated St. Xavier’s College 6-0, but the fascinating thing was St. Andrews had to win this tie by a margin of six goals which they eventually did, in the last minute.
Unlike the previous years, which were solely knockout rounds, this year the games were held in a different format, that is, a knockout round and a league stage. The knockout round was meant to be a qualifier stage which consisted of eight teams out of which only four teams would qualify for the league rounds. The league stage had four teams, St. Andrew’s College, Pillai’s College, St. Xavier’s College and Jai Hind College.
Pillai’s College finished their campaign with seven points in three games and had a strong goal difference of 16 goals. St. Andrews had to face St. Xavier’s in the final match of the league where they had to complete a tough task of winning the game by a margin of six goals at least.
In the first half of the game, St. Andrews scored twice and still had four goals to score to do the unthinkable. The Bandra-based College could only hear everyone chanting for St. Xavier’s, over and over again. As the time went running, the dream of lifting the Championship started to fade away. In the last ten minutes of the game, St. Andrews still needed to score three goals to win and that’s where the magic started.
Shalene D’souza scored two quick goals, equalizing her College with the goal difference of Pillai’s. And, just before the final whistle, the captain, Delfiya Pereira, scored the winning goal, completing a miraculous performance to help St. Andrews retain the Girls’ Championship for the seventh year running.
Nishad Mandalkar (Coach): We played as a team and didn’t give up until the last minute. Some of them say it’s a luck that St Andrews College won but I feel it is all about hard work & efforts which we gave throughout the league. Thank you, team, for a great performance. Hope to see the same next year.
Januarita D’souza (Sports Director): As the saying goes, hard work pays off. Our girls played amazingly like fighters until the last minute to keep the title to themselves. They proved that even at crucial times, the word ‘IMPOSSIBLE equals I-M-POSSIBLE is true. They trained hard by missing their lectures. It is the team’s unity that is strong. And one has to be an Andrean to be a Champion.
Delfiya Pereira (Captain): Eight months of training and all came down to these two days! It was going to be the last year that I along with 7 other players would be playing for Andrew’s and we wanted to continue being the defending champions. I just want to thank Nishad sir and Januarita ma’am for trusting the team and motivating us for each and every practice and being there for all the games. Last but not the least, I would just thank my team for trusting me and motivating me when I lost hope. Their energy kept me alive to push myself. It’s not how you start the game but on what note you finish it. And I think we’ve been proving ourselves that we indeed are the champions.
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJGMSC Crowned Champions with a dramatic win over MH Oranje FC
In the heart of Mumbai’s football scene, MYJGMSC achieved a remarkable feat by becoming champions of the Mumbai Premier League in their debut season itself. This is no small accomplishment,…
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC’s decisive away game ends in a draw against United SC
A late goal from Sanchit Singh gave MH Oranje FC a breath of fresh life with the draw ensuring the relegation battle against United SC continues till the final day…
MH Oranje FC Gears Up for a Final Push in the MFA Premier League
MH Oranje FC’s Intense Final Stretch: Pursuing MFA Premier League Glory As the MFA Premier League 2023-24 season reaches its climax, MH Oranje FC is gearing up for an intense…
Indian Super League announces tentative venues for the 2023 – 2024 Final
Mumbai, April 23: The Indian Super League (ISL) today announced that the 2023-24 season final scheduled on Saturday, 4th May will be played at the home ground of the higher ranked team in the…
Odisha FC strike first blow with 2-1 comeback win in semis against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Bhubaneswar, April 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the first leg of their semi-final fixture…
Bengaluru FC’s focus on youth football is the reason behind our success in the RFDL: Coach Bibiano Fernandes
Mumbai, April 25: For the third season in a row, Bengaluru FC have qualified for the National Championship of the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL). The Blues are two-time defending…
Mumbai City FC produce miraculous comeback to seize victory in semi-final clash against FC Goa
Goa, April 24: Mumbai City FC inspired a sensational late resurgence to come back from 2-0 down to win the first leg of their semi-final fixture against FC Goa by…
Intrigue and rivalry heats up as FC Goa bank on positive momentum to stop Mumbai City FC in their tracks
Goa, April 23: FC Goa will host Mumbai City FC in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on April 24, Wednesday, at 7:30…
Chembur United – JFC ride on Pradnesh’s late stunner to beat Carmelites FC 1-0.
In a thrilling MFA 1st Div encounter between Chembur United (JupiterFC) and Carmelites FC, the game saw both teams create several scoring opportunities, but a late goal by Chembur United…
AIFF Records Historic Rise in Women’s Footballers
~ President Kalyan Chaubey credits it to the introduction of ‘IWL-2’, – a second tier competition to professionalise women’s football ~ A ‘home-and-away’ format for top tier and availability of…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
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…
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…
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…
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…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
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…