Sushil Kumar 40+ Memorial Soccer Cup 2024: A Tournament of Tribute, Talent, and Triumph

by Chittu Shetty November 12, 2024

In a fitting tribute to former RCF football player Sushil Kumar, the Sushil Kumar 40+ Memorial Soccer Cup 2024 delivered an evening of intense action, camaraderie, and competitive spirit.

Held at St. Sebastian High School Turf in Chembur on November 9th, the tournament honored Sushil Kumar’s legacy with thrilling matches on the field. With 16 teams participating and the format structured as a pool-based knockout, the tournament was packed with end-to-end action throughout.

Distinguished Guests Elevate the Event

The tournament was honored by the esteemed presence of notable guests: Shree Sameer Wankhede (Additional Commissioner of Customs), Ms. Neha Nikam (Deputy Commissioner of Customs), Mr. Ramesh Pillai (Hockey player and elder brother of hockey legend Dhanraj Pillai), Bollywood actress Leslie Tripathy, actress Ishita Singh, and former RCF player Jupiter Charles. Their support lent prestige to the event, showing solidarity with both the football community and the legacy of Sushil Kumar.

Group Stage Thrills: MYJ Dominates

The tournament’s pool stages saw intense competition, with MYJ White and MYJ Blue topping their respective groups alongside teams Sushil 10 and Ronnie 7. The semifinal matchups were nail-biting affairs as MYJ White took on Sushil 10, clinching a 2-1 victory with Agnelo Picardo’s late winner. Ronnie 7 faced MYJ Blue in the second semifinal, securing their place in the final after a tense penalty shootout.

The Grand Finale: MYJ White Seizes the Title

The final match between MYJ White and Ronnie 7 was a showcase of pure intensity and skill. Both teams battled end-to-end, yet neither could break the deadlock in regular time. The game proceeded to a penalty shootout, where MYJ White’s goalkeeper, Sarfaraz, made some crucial game-winning save to secure the title with a 3-2 score in the shootout.

Final Standings and Individual Honors

• ‘Sushil Kumar’ Champions Trophy: MYJ White
• ‘Sreeram Sode’ Runner-Up Trophy: Ronnie 7
• ‘Heera Bahadur’ Third Place Trophy: Sushil 10
• ‘Suresh Mandlik’ Fourth Place Trophy: MYJ Blue

Individual Awards

• Best Player Award: Agnelo Picardo
• ‘Bhaskar Maiti’ Best Goalkeeper Award: Sarfaraz Ansari
• Best Midfielder Award: Glen Moraes
• Best Forward Award: Anthony Reveredo
• ‘Stanley Nair’ Best Defender Award: Wilson Dsouza 
• Fair Play Award: Team OS

The Sushil Kumar 40+ Memorial Soccer Cup 2024 was an unforgettable event celebrating not only the love for football but also the enduring legacy of Sushil Kumar.

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