Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table

by Chittu Shetty April 17, 2024

Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win.

Millat FC rode on Duane Dsouza double strike and goals from Sunny Koli, Dwight Dabreo and Elvis Rodrigues to defeat Kalina Rangers 5-2 in yesterday’s Mumbai Premier League encounter. Kalina Rangers showed resilience with two late goals, but Millat’s relentless attacks proved too much to handle. Despite Kalina Rangers’ efforts, Millat secured the win with a solid performance throughout the match.

In the first half, Millat FC demonstrated their attacking flair with precision and finesse. Millat’s Sunny Koli orchestrated the first goal with a well-placed cross from to right wing to Duane D’souza, who calmly found the back of the net, giving Millat an early lead of 1-0. Moments later, a free kick from Mohammed Zaid narrowly missed the target, hitting the crossbar as Millat went close again.

However, Millat continued to press forward, as Sunny Koli showcased his individual brilliance, when he received a near perfect pass by his teammate in the left wing and he made his way towards the nets by evading Kalina Rangers’ defenders and slotting Millat’s second goal. The lead extended further when Duane’s shot from the edge of the box, initially saved by the Kalina Rangers’ keeper, Scott Moraes, rebounded into the net, leaving Kalina Rangers trailing 3-0 at halftime.

The second half saw Millat FC maintain their offensive momentum. Millat’s Dwight Dabreo capitalized on a scoring opportunity, increasing Millat’s lead to 4-0. However, Kalina Rangers responded with a display of resilience as Clinton D’Souza netted a goal, as he collected a beautiful pass from the left wing at the edge of the box and took a shot, reducing the deficit to 4-1.

Despite Kalina Rangers’ efforts, Millat’s defense held firm, thwarting further attempts. In the 80^th minute, Millat’s Elvis Rodrigues further extended their lead with a well-taken shot, as he received an amazing pass from Andrew and found the back of the nets successfully, making it 5-1.

Kalina Rangers managed to pull one back immediately after, as Rayyan Shaikh executed a beautiful header to Nester’s brilliant freekick.

The late fightback however was too little too late as Millat FC emerged victorious with a final score of 5-2.

Millat FC’s clinical finishing and solid defensive display secured them a well-deserved victory over Kalina Rangers. Millat FC’s attacking trio of Duane D’souza, Sunny Koli, and Mohammed Zaid proved too hot to handle for Kalina Rangers, while Kalina Rangers’ valiant efforts were not enough to overcome Millat FC’s dominance.

FT: Millat FC 5 – 2 Kalina Rangers

Earlier in the day, Hope United produced a scintillating 2^nd half performance to come from a goal down to eventually pick a comfortable 4-1 win in the end.

Relegation contenders Ambernath United – Bombay Muslims started out brightly taking the lead early on. Ambernath United – BM broke the deadlock as early as 5^th minute courtesy of Ritesh Choudhari’s strike.

Hope United tried to fight back creating couple of chances of their own. However the team struggled to find the finishing touches with Ambernath United-Bombay Muslims holding their defence well as both sides entered the break at 1-0 scoreline.

Second half saw Hope come out with renewed vigour, around the hour mark Rishi Chouhan struck the equalizer before Dhanesh Shetty strike took Hope United ahead. Substitute Asadul Khan doubled the lead before fellow substitute Selvam Pannir added the fourth in injury time to complete the rout.

The win takes them into the 2nd position in the league table and although they are out of the race having played couple of games extra its still been impressive performance from Hope United to have been in the title race till the final leg of the season.

FT: Ambernath United – Bombay Muslims 1 – 4 Hope United

Picture Courtesy – Kalina Rangers and Hope United

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