Tarun Sporting triumphs in thrilling battle against Mumbai Strikers

by Chittu Shetty November 21, 2023

In a riveting clash, Tarun Sporting emerged victorious with a 4-2 win over Mumbai Strikers in the MFA Super League. The game showcased end-to-end football, with both teams aggressively pursuing goal-scoring opportunities throughout the match.

The action commenced in the very first minute when Mumbai Strikers had an early chance, capitalizing on a defensive error by Tarun Sporting. Ravish Dsouza passed the ball to Kishan Dubey, who, despite looking for shooting space inside the box, was denied by Tarun Sporting’s vigilant goalkeeper, Pritam Jadhav.

However, it was Tarun Sporting who drew first blood in the 2nd minute, breaking the deadlock with Kaustubh Panchal finding the back of the net. Despite the setback, Mumbai Strikers continued to press, and in a subsequent attack, Aditya Alkunti’s shot was saved, and Kishan’s attempt was thwarted by a brilliant defensive tackle from Shabbir Shaikh.

In the 42nd minute, Tarun Sporting secured their second goal after being awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty box. Kaustubh Panchal, displaying expert finesse, confidently stepped up to take the kick in the face of a five-man defensive wall. His beautifully placed free-kick towards the bottom left corner extended Tarun’s lead, establishing a comfortable 2-goal cushion

The first half ended with Tarun Sporting in control, leading 2-0.

In the second half, Tarun Sporting asserted dominance early on, maintaining complete control of the game and catching Mumbai Strikers on counter-attacks.

In the 48th minute, Tarun Sporting notched another goal as a sublime pass from the heart of the midfield set winger Roger Sam on a darting run. Sprinting down the wings and entering the box, Roger Sam unleashed a shot that beat the keeper on the near post, extending Tarun Sporting’s lead to a commanding three goals.

The 57th minute saw Tarun Sporting’s winger Roger Sam exhibit an exceptional attacking performance. He secured the ball on the wing, swiftly releasing an early first-time ball that resulted in an easy tap-in for Dhaval Waghela, pushing Tarun Sporting to a formidable 4-0 advantage.

Mumbai Strikers had their moments as Ananth Kumar, charged with energy, won the ball from a Tarun Sporting player. With the keeper positioned forward, Ananth Kumar attempted a long-distance shot, but his effort struck the woodwork, and the subsequent clearance by the Tarun Sporting defense denied Mumbai Strikers a breakthrough.

Another opportunity presented itself for Mumbai Strikers when Tarun Sporting’s keeper mispassed the ball to Adithya Alkunti. Seizing the chance, Alkunti tried a shot from distance, but it sailed just above the crossbar, leaving Mumbai Strikers still in pursuit of their opening goal.

Mumbai Strikers, however, showed resilience and determination. In the 83rd minute, Ankush Singh’s curling shot found the back of the net, giving Mumbai Strikers their first goal. The momentum continued, and in the 90th minute, Ravish Dsouza, assisted by Jordan Soans, scored the second goal for Mumbai Strikers, making the final score 4-2.

Despite a late surge from Mumbai Strikers and notable chances, hitting the woodwork twice, Tarun Sporting defended well and capitalized on their opportunities to secure a crucial win and extend the lead in the league table.

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