Maharashtra triumphs with convincing 8-0 win in Santosh Trophy Group F opener against Andaman & Nicobar

by Chittu Shetty October 13, 2023

In a dazzling display of football prowess, the Maharashtra football team marked the commencement of their Santosh Trophy journey with an emphatic 8-0 victory against Andaman & Nicobar at the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Stadium.

The action began in the 19th minute when Johnson Mathews delivered an inch-perfect corner. Yash Shukla rose to meet it, heading the ball across the box, where the ever-alert skipper, Nikhil Kadam, tapped it home, opening the scoring.

Not willing to rest on their laurels, Maharashtra swiftly doubled their lead. In the 21st minute, Advait Shinde delivered a precision cross over the Andaman & Nicobar defense. Nikhil Kadam displayed exquisite timing, lobbing the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the net.

Maharashtra continued their onslaught, and in the 27th minute, Armash Ansari dispossessed the ball from his opponent in the middle before vice-captain Himanshu took control of the loose ball. He dribbled into the box, skillfully outpacing his marker, and executed a stylish finish past the opposing goalkeeper.

The 30th minute saw yet another goal, as Armash Ansari once again initiated a fantastic sequence. He won the ball in the middle of the park before passing it to Himanshu. The vice-captain raced into the box before unselfishly laying the ball across to Johnson Mathews, who clinically struck it past the keeper to extend the lead to 4-0.

Maharashtra was relentless, and just before half-time, in the 45th minute, Advait Shinde sent in a low cross. Himanshu Patil, with poise and precision, tapped it home to make it 5-0, putting the game well beyond the reach of Andaman & Nicobar.

In the second half, Maharashtra continued to dominate. The 59th minute saw Johnson Mathews creating yet another opportunity, sending Himanshu Patil through on goal. The Andaman defender initially did well to take Himanshu wide, but the vice-captain cleverly passed the ball into the middle, where Advait Shinde slotted it home with a first-time touch.

The 67th minute witnessed another display of excellent set-piece execution, as Johnson Mathew’s corner delivery found Dhurwesh Nijap at the far post, and he converted with precision, making it 7-0.

With the outcome beyond doubt, Maharashtra continued to push for more. In the 78th minute, substitute Sheikh Abid embarked on a blistering run down the right wing. He advanced into the box before delivering a low cross, which was expertly finished by another substitute Sanketh Salokhe to notch the eighth goal of the match.

The game concluded with Maharashtra securing an emphatic 8-0 victory and maintaining a clean sheet, leaving their fans and rivals alike in awe of their incredible performance.

FT: Andaman & Nicobar 0 – 8 Maharashtra (Nikhil Kadam 19′, 21′, Himanshu Patil 27′, 45′ Johnson Mathews 30′, Advait 59′, Dhurwesh Nijap 67′, Sanket Salokhe 78′)

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