Maharashtra Bows Out of Swami Vivekananda U-20 Championship despite improved performance

by FC May 20, 2025

The Maharashtra U-20 football team’s campaign in the Swami Vivekananda U-20 National Football Championship has concluded. Despite a significantly improved performance compared to the previous year, the team ultimately failed to qualify for the quarterfinals.

A crucial 0-4 loss to Mizoram proved a major hurdle, with the team’s overall performance in that match falling short.

Last season, Maharashtra was placed alongside Rajasthan, Mizoram, and Meghalaya, where they endured a challenging run, losing every game, conceding a higher number of goals while scoring fewer in return across all their matches.

This year, however, saw a marked change in fortunes for the Maharashtra U-20 squad. They displayed a more cohesive style of play throughout their championship matches. Their opening fixture saw them secure a 2-0 victory against Himachal Pradesh, with goals coming from Kshitij Maral in the 9th minute and Keanan Bhobhe in the 51st.

However, the second match proved challenging as Maharashtra faced Mizoram, suffering a comprehensive 0-4 defeat. Maharashtra bounced back strongly with a 4-1 win over Jharkhand, thanks to Niranjan Gaikwad’s hat-trick (48th, 80th, 90+4th minutes) and Ahrev Jodhwani’s goal in the 90+3rd minute. They then defeated Tripura 2-0, with Kshitij Maral scoring in the 62nd minute and Eashan Sartape sealing the win in the 90+4th.

Head Coach Clinton D’souza reflected on this ambitious campaign from the young players, stating, “Overall, it was a strong campaign with three well-earned wins. The team consistently played confident, possession-based football, demonstrating composure and clarity in our style of play.”

A notable aspect of Maharashtra’s performance was their ability to score crucial late goals, with four of their eight goals coming in the dying stages of matches. Coach D’souza affirmed this: “Our ability to score late goals was particularly encouraging; it reflects the team’s resilience and commitment to fighting until the final whistle.”

For the second consecutive year, Maharashtra found themselves pitted against Mizoram, and on both occasions, they faced defeat. Reflecting on this year’s encounter, Coach D’souza commented, “Facing the Mizoram side was a valuable learning experience. They posed a significant challenge, displaying greater physical and tactical maturity. While we created several promising chances, converting those opportunities could have shifted the outcome.” He extended his well wishes to the Mizoram team, stating, “That said, full credit to Mizoram, we wish them all the best for the rest of the tournament.”

Several players stood out for their contributions throughout the campaign. Kshitij Maral and Eashan Sartape were particularly outstanding in the midfield, stepping up in key moments with crucial goals and assists. Defensively, skipper Abhishek Rawat and Siddhant Satpute stood out, who anchored the backline with discipline and strength. Meanwhile, forwards Niranjan Gaikwad and Dhawal Tandel made significant contributions from the front.

While the team’s journey in the championship has ended, their significant improvement from the previous season provides a strong foundation for future youth football development in Maharashtra.

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