I-League 2: Mumbai Derby turns into a Survival Race Between MH Oranje FC and Kenkre FC.

by Anas Mujawar April 27, 2024

The final matchday of the I-League 2 is set for an intense showdown as MH Oranje FC takes on Kenkre FC in the Mumbai derby.

The match, scheduled for 27th Apr at 4 PM at the Centre of Excellence (COE) Kharghar, is critical for both teams as they fight to avoid relegation. With the I-League 2 season drawing to a close, this match could play a crucial role in determining which team stays in the league and which faces relegation.

Importance Of the Match

Mumbai Derby holds great significance, not only for the fate of the two clubs but also for the future of Mumbai football. If the result doesn’t go their way, Mumbai could end up with only one team representing the city in the top tier of Indian football—Mumbai City FC.

In recent years, Kenkre FC has been the only other club from Mumbai competing in the top 3 Tiers of Indian football. They played two seasons in the I-League before being relegated after the 2022-2023 season. This setback was followed by the failed attempt of Ambernath United, a team that seemed poised for success but fell short on the last matchday, losing their chance to qualify for the I-League.

MH Oranje FC took a significant leap forward this season, making their debut in the National League. But now, the season’s final matchday could end disastrously if they don’t win this crucial game against Kenkre FC.

MH Oranje FC :

MH Oranje FC’s season has been a rollercoaster, with a promising start followed by a challenging mid-season. They’ve shown resilience in recent games, picking up crucial points that have kept them from the bottom spot. The team has managed to secure two draws and one win in their last five outings, suggesting they are finding their rhythm at the right time.
A statement “Reflective of the character, Results have not gone their way on many occasions but the boys have never been short on character & Fight.”

Key Players to watch out for

Sanchit Singh Rajput is MH Oranje FC’s leading goal scorer, with Eight goals this season. His work ethic and ability to create scoring opportunities will be crucial in this match.
Mukund Ravi Kumar, the team’s goalkeeper, has been solid between the posts. His saves have often been the difference-maker for MH Oranje FC, especially in their previous encounter against Kenkre FC. The Mix of Experience and young blood have proved out to be crucial of MH Oranje FC in their previous fixture as it seems out to be worked the trick. Nitesh Monde the experienced assisted by Dynamic duo of Aimar Adam and Zothanpuia.

Team Analysis: Kenkre FC

Kenkre FC is navigating a challenging chapter in their club’s history. If they don’t win this encounter, it could mean a second consecutive relegation from the National Stage. In their last five fixtures, they’ve secured just one win while losing four times, with their sole victory coming against United SC in an away game.

Key players to watch for Kenkre FC include their young captain, Raul Almeida, the team’s leading goal scorer with four goals this season. His leadership and goal-scoring prowess will be crucial in this critical match. Arvind Raj, a versatile player who adapts to various positions on the field, adds depth and experience to the team. He has been fulfilling the coach’s demands by excelling in different roles. Another key figure is Subha Ghosh, a striker who has shown promising form in recent matches and could pose a significant threat to the MH Oranje FC defense.

Head-2-Head:

In the previous encounter between MH Oranje FC and Kenkre FC, MH Oranje FC hosted Kenkre FC in the 4th MatchDay. It was a high-stake and intense game end to end, with MH Oranje FC clinching a narrow 1-0 victory. MH Oranje Earned themself an early lead in the 20th minute through a well team play. Sahil Bhokare’s flare provided a crucial assist to Sanchit singh who headed it out into top left corner. The key factor in this win was the exceptional performance of goalkeeper Mukund Ravi Kumar, who thwarted multiple valiant attacks from Kenkre FC, playing a pivotal role in preserving the clean sheet. His saves and composure under pressure proved to be the defining elements also earning himself the Man Of the Match. He’ll be on edge to do the same in this fixture.

Survival Chances Based on Results

Both MH Oranje FC and Kenkre FC have a shot at avoiding relegation in I-League 2, making this match crucial for their survival hopes. MH Oranje FC currently sits in 7th place with 12 points and a -6 goal difference. To stay safe, they must win against Kenkre FC and hope that United SC draws or loses against Sporting Goa. United SC also has 12 points but holds a better goal difference of -4, sitting in 6th place.

Kenkre FC, on the other hand, is at the bottom of the table with 9 points and a -16 goal difference. To avoid relegation, they need to beat MH Oranje FC and expect United SC to lose to Sporting Goa. If Kenkre wins by a margin greater than two goals, they could surpass MH Oranje FC and climb ahead due to a head-to-head advantage over United SC, as they have defeated them twice in the season.

For the fate of two clubs and the future of Mumbai football, both teams face a high-stakes match that could determine their position in the league, with every goal and save carrying significant importance. Beyond mere survival, this game is poised to deliver a lesson to whichever team falls short. Both MH Oranje FC and Kenkre FC will reflect on their seasons and aim to extract the positives as they move forward. Reaching this stage isn’t easy, and exiting the league will be harsh, but there’s always hope for a turnaround. The supporters are expected to show up in large numbers to back their teams, and their presence could influence the outcome from the stands.

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