Maharashtra Oranje trumps in Mumbai derby with 1-0 win over Kenkre FC

by Chittu Shetty February 5, 2024

Sanchit Singh’s goal and Mukunthan Ravi Kumar heroics at the back gives Maharashtra Oranje FC a close 1-0 win over city rival Kenkre FC in yesterday’s high octane Mumbai derby

The match between Oranje FC and Kenkre FC was a rollercoaster ride as it proceeded. Right from the start, both the team had a good outlook towards their game plan. Both of the teams had a good offense as well as defense. The game was a series of splendid crosses, sumptous plays, spectacular defense and magnificent striking. The game basically consisted a series of attacks and counter-attacks.

After a cagey start in the initial stages Oranje FC got a free kick from just outside the box of Kenkre, Advait’s chipped the ball over the Kenkre defence to find Rahul das inside the box connecting a shot and finding the net. However, much to the disappointment of Oranje supporters, the lineman called in a foul for infringement, keeping the scoreline 0-0.

In the 19^th minute, however, Oranje took the lead when Sahil Bhokare did well to chest down a ball on the left flank and dribble past his marker to get inside the box and send in cross that met a powerful header of Sanchit Singh to find the net making it 1-0.

At the other end, Kenkre went close Loken Meitei’s freekick from 30 yards out was tipped over by Oranje custodian Mukunthan Ravi Kumar. Oranje defensive setup kept it very tight in the back line forcing Kenkre to couple of long distance attempt.

Towards the ending of the first half, Kenkre FC made another close attempt. Their high cross was saved by the goalkeeper who caught the balls and was the pioneer of another counter from Oranje FC. The counter was primarily defended by the defenders of Kenkre FC but Oranje FC kept on persuading and had a close call as the ball fell for Sahil Bhokare who did well to sell a dummy before firing in a shot that went inches away from the post.

The second half began with Aimar Adams coming close to doubling the lead earlier on when his shot from edge of the box hit the sidenetting. At the other end, Aravindraj Rajan’s header went just over the bar following a cross from the right wing.

In the 69th minute, Kenkre had a golden chance to level up when Milan Singh’s cross from the left was headed goalwards by Subha Gosh only for the Goalkeeper Ravi Kumar to pull off a sensational one hand save to deny the goal.

Minutes later, another similar attack sees Milan deliver a low cross into the box that Subha connect first time but once again it was Ravi Kumar with another diving save to deny Kenkre the equalizer.

At the other end, Rinaldo came close for Oranje with a low cross across the box that just needed a touch for a goal only for his teammates arriving seconds late. As the game wore on, Rinaldo had another attempt on a goal from a freekick position but the ball went just over the bar.

As the game entered injury time, Kenkre came close again when Milan Singh‘s shot from outside the box curled in but hit the post and went out for goal-kick. Minute later, another Kenkre attack saw Azfar Noorani’s strike from inside the box parried away by keeper M. Ravi Kumar.

After a nervy final few seconds for Oranje the referee blew the final whistle to call the game to closure as Maharashtra Oranje came trumps in Oranje derby by a solitary goal margin.

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