I-League 2: MH Oranje FC flares an important 3-0 victory over Sporting Goa in an crucial encounter

by Anas Mujawar April 15, 2024

Maharashtra Oranje FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Sporting Goa to lift themselves to 7th spot in the I-League 2 table

In a high-stakes I-League 2 encounter at the Center of Excellence Kharghar, MH Oranje FC faced off against Sporting Club De Goa in a match that held significant implications for both teams. Sporting Club De Goa, battling for promotion, aimed to secure a victory that would propel them from the 4th position to the coveted 2nd spot. On the other hand, MH Oranje FC, languishing at the bottom of the table with a desperate need for points, sought to turn their fortunes around in the remaining three fixtures. The match witnessed MH Oranje FC’s spirited performance, culminating in a commanding victory in their last home fixture, courtesy of goals from Yogesh Kadam, Rinaldo Fernandes, and an own goal

In their recent outings, both teams showcased thrilling performances worth noting. Sporting Club De Goa, as visitors, secured a remarkable victory against table-toppers SC Bengaluru at their home ground, Tilak Maidan, in a thrilling seven-goal encounter. The match culminated in a nail-biting finish, with Adil Khan’s 86th-minute header clinching the win for Sporting Club De Goa. Meanwhile, MH Oranje FC faced another Bengaluru-based team, positioned second in the league, at the COE Kharghar. Despite MH Oranje FC’s valiant effort and a one-goal lead during stoppage time, Bengaluru United salvaged a point with Ashley Koli’s header. Though MH Oranje FC settled for a draw, they aim to maintain their momentum in upcoming fixtures.

MH Oranje FC signaled their attacking intent right from the opening whistle. In the 4th minute, Aimar Adam demonstrated his skill by dribbling past four defenders in tight quarters, creating space for a precise through ball to Sanchit Singh in the 6-yard box. However, Antonio Dylan denied Singh’s shot with a close-range save. Continuing the pressure, MH Oranje FC tested the visitors’ defense again in the 11th minute. Nitesh Monde, Prathmesh Kasare, and Sanchit Singh combined effectively, setting up Zothanpuia for a shot from outside the box. Despite their efforts, the score remained level as Dylan thwarted the attempt. Moments later, Sanchit Singh’s individual brilliance created a scoring opportunity out of nowhere. Winning the ball at midfield, Sanchit showcased his finesse by calmly dribbling past 2-3 defenders before swiftly passing to Yogesh Kadam. Yet again, Dylan made a crucial point-blank save to keep the scoresheet clean.

MH Oranje FC has been impressive so far, showcasing their ability to create opportunities and dictate the pace of the game. Led by Manish Siddha, their defense has been solid, successfully thwarting every attempt from the visitors. They have effectively neutralized the opposition forwards, preventing them from taking a single shot on goal. In the 27th minute, the only two changes made by the Oranje FC manager in the lineup from their previous fixture proved effective. Nitesh Monde delivered a perfect corner kick, finding Yogesh Kadam whose towering header found the back of the net, giving MH Oranje FC a well-deserved lead.

The visitors sought to bounce back from the setback, with Joyson making an extraordinary attempt to pull one back for them. In the 31st minute, Joyson unleashed a thunderbolt from his left foot from a distance of 30 yards, only to be denied by an exceptional save from Mukund. As the first half drew to a close in the 45+5 minute, the visitors looked to capitalize on a good move from the right flank. Doyal delivered a perfect cross into the area, and once again, Joyson rose to the occasion with an attempted half volley that seemed destined for the top right corner. However, Mukund displayed his hot form with a point-blank save, denying Joyson yet again.

The first half was an excellent spectacle for neutrals to behold. MH Oranje FC earned a well-deserved goal through their domination of the half. Despite looking dangerous in the dying minutes of the first half, the visitors were held goal-less thanks to Mukund’s finesse in goal. However, MH Oranje FC will aim to maintain the same momentum heading into the second half, given their less-than-ideal record in the latter half of matches this campaign.

As the second half began, MH Oranje FC demonstrated their clear intentions on the pitch. A pinpoint pass over the defense by Nitesh Monde found Yogesh Kadam, who appeared poised to threaten the goal, only to be denied by Dhiraj Chauhan. However, Sporting Goa seemed to regain momentum in the game. A perfect delivery from the right flank by Kunal found a forward at the far post, rising high to execute a header toward the top left corner. Yet, Mukund, the standout performer for MH Oranje FC, acted as a formidable barrier for Sporting Goa once again, denying Sporting Goa’s attempt with an exquisite save from close range.

Yogesh Kadam was substituted for Rinaldo Fernandes, who made an instant impact after coming off the bench. In the 72nd minute, Advait Rai calmly delivered a ball over the defense to Rinaldo, who maneuvered past his marker on the left before threading a pass to Sanchit. However, Joel Calcao’s initial interception led to an own goal for Sporting Goa. Rinaldo Fernandes rose to the occasion once again in the 90+5th minute, seizing victory for MH Oranje FC. A quick interchange between Kuivao and Sanchit saw the ball reach Aimar Adam just outside the box. Aimar Danced between 2 defenders, Although he missed his shot, Rinaldo capitalized on the opportunity, slotting the ball into the bottom left corner to seal the deal for MH Oranje FC. The crowd erupted in loud cheers as Rinaldo secured the win for MH Oranje FC. The match concluded with a decisive 3-0 victory for MH Oranje FC, a result that could prove crucial for their survival in the I-League 2.

MH Oranje FC executed every aspect of their game plan flawlessly, culminating in a pivotal victory. Their midfield displayed a harmonious synergy, with the experienced Nitesh Monde masterfully dictating play while being ably supported by the dynamic partnership of Aimar Adam and Zothanpuia, who orchestrated attacks with precision and creativity. Despite Sanchit Singh, the league’s top scorer, being unable to find the net, his relentless work rate and contribution to the team’s fluidity were palpable throughout the match, while Yogesh Kadam and Rinaldo Fernandes delivered crucial goals upfront. Defensively, skipper Manish Siddha marshaled a solid backline of five, stifling Sporting Goa’s attacks with disciplined positioning. It was the Mukund Ravi Kumar outstanding performance that truly stood out, earning him the Man of the Match accolade. His acrobatic saves and commanding presence between the posts ensured that Sporting Goa’s attempts were consistently thwarted, leaving them frustrated and unable to breach MH Oranje FC’s formidable defense.

MH Oranje FC aims to ride the wave of this victory into their next two fixtures, empowered by the boost in confidence gained today. Their journey continues with a clash against United SC at Kalyani Stadium. Meanwhile, Sporting Goa’s stumble in this fixture sees them slip from the second position in the league standings.

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