Mixed fortunes for Mumbai football teams on Matchday 2 of I-League 3

by FC September 6, 2024

Matchday 2 of I-League 3 brought a whirlwind of emotions for Mumbai’s football teams, while the MYJGMSC and MH Oranje returned with just a point, Kenkre FC secured a much needed victory.

MYJ-GMSC, debuting at the national level, fought valiantly but had to settle for a draw, while MH Oranje FC’s ongoing struggle with late-game goals continued, leaving them with another disappointing stalemate. In contrast, Kenkre FC managed to turn their fortunes around, clinching a dramatic win that provided a much-needed boost.

MYJ-GMSC Vs HAL Bengaluru

In their first match of the I-League 3, MYJGMSC, fresh from their unbeaten run in the Mumbai Premier League, faced off against HAL Bengaluru at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl. The game was delayed due to heavy rain, which left the pitch waterlogged and challenging for both teams. Despite the tough conditions, MYJGMSC showed resilience early on but struggled to break through HAL’s defense.

HAL Bengaluru took advantage of the conditions and scored first in the 24th minute when Shreyas capitalized on after a spectacular save by MYJGMSC’s goalkeeper, Paramjeet. MYJGMSC continued to press forward, with Jay and Shamer coming close, but they couldn’t find the back of the net before halftime.

The second half saw MYJGMSC intensify their attack, bringing on fresh legs in the form of Saurabh Nikam to add energy. Despite dominating possession, they were unable to score. A key moment came in the 77th minute when Paramjeet made a crucial save off a penalty, keeping his team’s hopes alive.

It seemed like time was running out for the MYJGMSC, but in stoppage time, substitute Saurabh Nikam did well to persist with a loose ball to win a corner after overcoming his marker. Experienced Keegan Pereira stepped up to deliver a pinpoint cross at the far post, where Himanshu Patil rose highest to head home the equalizer, sending the MYJGMSC bench into jubilation.

MH Oranje FC Vs Kerala United FC:

MH Oranje FC’s season is rapidly taking on an all-too-familiar pattern. Their last encounter against SESA FA saw them once again concede a crucial goal in the dying minutes, a recurring issue that has haunted their recent performances. 

During the second match of I-League 3, a similar moment arose once again. Despite building significant momentum throughout the match, MH Oranje FC’s defensive frailties allowed Kerala United FC to snatch a last-minute equalizer, leaving MH Oranje FC grappling with frustration and missed opportunities.

MH Oranje FC began their second match of the I-League 3 against Kerala United FC with a strong start. Building on their previous performance, the team made two key changes to the starting XI: Sunveer Singh replaced Kartik Rao, and Mohd Khatib took the place of Prathmesh Kasare. 

Mohd Khatib made a spectacular impact right from the start. In the 4th minute, Saurabh, pivotal in the attack, intercepted a counter from Kerala United and swiftly moved the ball forward. He passed it to Duan, who then played the ball to Khatib on the right flank, just at the edge of the box. Khatib took a deft touch to set up his signature move, curling a beautiful shot into the top left corner of the net and announcing his presence with flair.

As the saying goes, “An iron sharpens iron,” Kerala United swiftly responded to MH Oranje FC’s spectacular goal with one of their own. Ramdhinmawia delivered a thunderous strike that matched Oranje’s brilliance. A cross from PC of Kerala United was initially cleared by the Oranje defense but fell to Ramdhinmawia following a deflection. With a powerful first touch, Ramdhinmawia unleashed a bullet of a shot, leaving goalkeeper Mukund helpless and leveling the score.

MH Oranje FC regained their lead shortly after the water break. Jayesh Kurup sent a precise long ball to the left wing, where Kamie, enjoying ample space, took a touch and delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Kerala United’s Pratheesh initially blocked the cross but lost his grip on the ball, leading to a deflection off Munez that resulted in an own goal.

Once again, in the dying minutes, MH Oranje FC’s defense faltered, conceding another crucial goal. Pratheesh delivered a free kick directly into the Oranje box, where the defense failed to clear the ball. Febin Gibbs capitalized on the opportunity, maneuvering past his marker and striking a shot that mirrored Khatib’s earlier brilliance, leveling the score and leaving MH Oranje FC to grapple with yet another frustrating draw.

Kenkre FC Vs Jaipur Elite FC:

Kenkre FC, featuring a predominantly youthful squad with many players having represented their youth teams for the past 3-4 years, alongside seasoned veteran Arvind Raj Rajan, faced off against their opponents Jaipur Elite FC in the second match.

Kenkre FC had a challenging start to their campaign, suffering a defeat in their opening match against the host team, Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC. Despite initially taking the lead, Kenkre FC conceded three goals and ultimately lost the match.

In their second match against Jaipur Elite FC, Kenkre FC struggled to find their rhythm and fell behind in the first half. They conceded a goal in the 20th minute when Jaipur Elite FC’s Siddhant expertly capitalized on a brilliant threaded pass, receiving the ball at the edge of the box and finishing with precision.

The experience of Arvind Raj Rajan proved pivotal for Kenkre FC as he stepped up early in the second half. Arvind delivered a delightful pass to the blind side of the left flank, finding Madan unmarked. Madan lobbed the ball over the keeper, who was caught off guard, briefly lifting Kenkre FC’s spirits. However, their joy was short-lived. In the 77th minute, Dhurvmil scored a stunning goal with his left foot, regaining the lead for Jaipur Elite FC and dampening Kenkre’s hopes of a comeback.

Just when it seemed that Kenkre FC’s chances were fading, a moment of brilliance emerged in the 87th minute. Thotkadhar Zimik delivered a miraculous strike from the edge of the box, leaning away from the ball, and unleashed a stunning volley into the top left corner. The game entered stoppage time, another moment of elation for Kenkre FC echoed from the bench. Thotkadhar, once again rising to the occasion, delivered a brilliant through pass to Prem Shinde, who found himself isolated in the Jaipur defense. Prem Shinde sprinted towards goal and coolly chipped the ball over the keeper, securing a dramatic and well-deserved winning goal for Kenkre FC.

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