Mumbai Premier League begins: MH Oranje FC, Kalina Rangers CFF, and MYJ-GMSC Clinch wins

by Chittu Shetty November 2, 2023

The Mumbai Premier League kicked off on October 30, 2023, with Oranje FC, Kalina Rangers CFF and MYJ-GMSC kicking off their campaign with wins

The Mumbai Premier League (MPL) kicked off its highly anticipated 2023-24 season from October 30 onwards with a couple of electrifying matches, showcasing the city’s football fervor and talent.

Match 1: MH Oranje vs. Kenkre FC – October 30th

The first game of the season kicked off with a rather underwhelming movement as MH Oranje secured a 3-0 walkover win over Kenkre FC. The latter team failed to make an appearance, handing MH Oranje a victory to start their campaign.

Match 2: Kalina Rangers CFF vs. DK Pharma FC – October 31st

The second match of the season saw Kalina Rangers – Chhedanagar Football Fanatics (CFF) taking on DK Pharma FC, and it was a clash filled with excitement and standout performances.

The match began with DK Pharma FC displaying bright attacking movements and impressive speed in the attack. Their intent to make an impact was evident from the start. However, it was the goalkeeper for Kalina Rangers CFF, Scot Moraes, who stole the show in the first half. Moraes made a series of crucial saves, including point-blank stops and a one-on-one situation, denying DK Pharma FC an early advantage.

As the match progressed, Shoaib Baig of Kalina Rangers CFF took control, making a daring run with the ball. He was brought down inside the penalty box, prompting Referee Saket Bawiskar to point to the spot. Joston Jonas calmly converted the penalty, giving Kalina Rangers CFF a 1-0 lead.

With newfound confidence, Kalina Rangers CFF adopted an attacking approach, executing quick one-two passes and fluid movements. Ajinkya Birajdar, positioned on the left wing, showcased his dribbling skills by executing a couple of stepovers to outmaneuver his marker. He drove into the box and unleashed a powerful shot, which nestled into the top right corner of the net, extending the lead to 2-0.

The second half kicked off with Kalina Rangers CFF continuing to apply pressure, and their efforts were soon rewarded. Ajinkya Birajdar capitalized on a defensive mistake, gaining possession of the ball behind the DK Pharma defense line. Goalkeeper Rudrajit Majumdar attempted to come off his line but failed to reach the ball cleanly. Ajinkya, despite stumbling, retained possession and calmly slotted the ball into the empty net, making it 3-0.

Despite a valiant effort from DK Pharma FC to break through Kalina Rangers CFF’s defense, they were unable to find the back of the net, and the match concluded with a 3-0 victory for Kalina Rangers CFF.

Match 3: RFYC vs. MYJ-GMSC

Game 3 of the MFA Premier League 2023-24 brought yet another thrilling clash to the football enthusiasts of Mumbai, where Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) faced off against the newly-formed MYJ-GMSC.

The match turned out to be a tale of two halves, with each team dominating one of the periods, and in the end, MYJ-GMSC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

In the first half, RFYC asserted its dominance over the game. The opening goal came in the 30th minute when a foul by Vinod Pandey provided RFYC with a free-kick just outside the box. Skipper Supratim Das stepped up and delivered a brilliant free-kick that evaded the defensive wall and the keeper, nestling into the back of the net to give RFYC a 1-0 lead.

RFYC’s control of the match was evident in the initial period, but it was clear that MYJ-GMSC was not going to back down easily.

The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum as MYJ-GMSC came roaring back. They pushed hard for the equalizer and their efforts paid off handsomely.

In the 70th minute, MYJ-GMSC earned a corner kick, and the resulting delivery found the head of their captain, Kamlesh Nadar. The goalkeeper, off his line, attempted to punch the ball but completely missed it, allowing Nadar to head the ball into the net, leveling the score at 1-1.

Just three minutes later, in the 73rd minute, MYJ-GMSC continued their resurgence. Shamer Swamy delivered a precise cross, and Deepu Neupane leaped to head the ball. However, the ball struck defender Shubam Bhattacharya’s hands inside the box, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Keegan Pereira, an experienced player, confidently stepped up and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, giving MYJ-GMSC a 2-1 lead.

The late stages of the match brought a surprising twist as Nayan Kajve of MYJ-GMSC was shown a second yellow card for time-wasting by referee Anil Desai. Despite being reduced to ten men, MYJ-GMSC managed the game effectively, ensuring that RFYC couldn’t find an equalizer.

The match ended with a 2-1 victory for MYJ-GMSC, who showcased their resilience and determination in the second half.

The MFA Premier League 2023-24 has begun with a bang, and these exciting matches are just a taste of the thrilling football action Mumbai has to offer. Football fans can look forward to more incredible moments as the season unfolds.

For Fixtures, Standing and News on the Mumbai Premier League: Click

Also Read: MYJ and GMSC merge to form MYJ-GMSC, all set to dominate Mumbai Premier League

Also Read: Mumbai Premier League 2023-24: Mumbai’s Best Teams Ready to Compete

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