MH Oranje FC’s I-League 3 Journey Ends in Disappointment

by FC September 9, 2024

For MH Oranje FC, this I-League 3 campaign has been a recurring nightmare of thrilling matches marred by late-game heartbreaks. 

Their journey began ominously with a last-minute equalizer by SESA FA, a defensive vulnerability that would haunt them throughout the campaign. The pattern repeated against Kerala United FC in the Matchday 2, the script unfolded with eerie familiarity: a spirited start, an early lead courtesy of a sensational strike from Mohd Khatib, but then a cruel twist in the dying moments as their defense crumbled yet again.

The team’s fate seemed to hinge on their third encounter against Gharwal Heroes with a glimmer of hope for qualification.  A draw between Kerala United and SESA FA earlier that day offered a glimmer of hope for Oranje, and seemed to clear a path for Oranje to advance, provided they could hold their nerve. And for a while, it seemed they might—Khatib’s two-goal performance, including a confident penalty conversion, gave them a crucial edge. Yet, in a devastating ten-minute span, familiar frailties resurfaced. Defensive lapses gifted Gharwal Heroes two goals, and despite a fightback from Pratham Ghatnur, MH Oranje’s hopes were all but extinguished as they conceded a fourth.

Entering the final matchday, the storyline remained unchanged: MH Oranje FC’s qualification chances hung by a thread, but their Achilles’ heel—their defense—threatened to undo them once more. 

From the onset, Oranje came out firing, eager to seize control. In just the 5th minute, they nearly broke the deadlock when Prathmesh Kasare swung in a delightful cross from the left flank. Pratham Ghatnur rose above his marker and connected with a towering header that seemed destined for the net, only for the ball to ricochet off the woodwork.

MH Oranje FC conceded their first goal in the 33rd minute. A threatening attack originated from the left flank, where Dalbir FA’s left winger received a through pass and delivered a low, precise cross. Kartik Rao of Oranje lost track of his marker, allowing Dalbir’s striker, Tanveer Singh, to tap it past the keeper with ease.

MH Oranje FC enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half, moving the ball fluidly across the pitch. However, they posed no real threat in the final third, appearing unclinical in their attempts. Oranje managed only two shots on target during the first half.

MH Oranje FC continued to press forward, trying to break down a resolute Dalbir defense, but they lacked the decisive touch in the box. As the clock ticked down, Oranje’s hopes seemed to fade. However, in the 90th minute, two substitutes combined to revive those fading dreams. Kuivao, stationed at the edge of the box, lobbed a precise ball into the area. Dhananjay managed to chest it down perfectly, and Duane, alert, seized the moment with a volley that found the back of the net. The late equalizer brought a surge of belief and relief to the Oranje camp.

But this joy was to be heartbreakingly short-lived. Almost immediately after the restart, MH Oranje’s defensive frailties were once again exposed. Pushing forward in search of a winner, they lost possession in the midfield, and Dalbir FA’s midfielder launched a speculative long ball over the top. In an inexplicable rush of blood, goalkeeper Vipul decided to charge out prematurely instead of holding his ground. Tanveer Singh, reading the situation calmly, lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper to restore Dalbir FA’s lead.

– Image credit MH Oranje Media

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