Mumbai Premier League: Mohd. Khatib’s late equalizer rescues a Point for MH Oranje FC against Mumbay FC

by Chittu Shetty February 14, 2025

MH Oranje FC salvaged a dramatic late equalizer in the dying seconds of added time as Mohd. Khatib’s strike deep into the injury time denied Mumbay FC all three points in a fiercely contested clash.

Both teams began the match looking to stake control of the proceedings. Debutante Mumbay FC, coming on the back of an stomping 4-0 win against the defending champions MYJ-GMSC in the previous fixture, looked quite energetic and fluid in the attack.

Mumbay FC took the lead in the 23rd minute through skipper Rohit Mirza. Driving forward with purpose, Mirza slipped a clever through ball to Reagan, whose shot was initially saved by MH Oranje’s goalkeeper Mukunthan. However, the deflection fell perfectly for Mirza, who reacted swiftly to tap the ball into an empty net, handing Mumbay FC a crucial advantage.

Oranje almost came back into the game when Nitesh Monde’s floated a dangerous freekick through the Mumbay FC box but the Oranje strikers arrived just a second late as the ball glided past the left post waiting for a tapin.

MH Oranje FC looked to shift the momentum in the second half with three key substitutions at the break. They began to dominate possession, but Mumbay FC remained a constant threat on the counterattack.

Early in the second half, Mumbay FC’s Ritesh Choudhari nearly doubled their lead with a moment of brilliance, connecting perfectly with a volley after a deflected corner. However, Mukunthan produced a crucial save to keep Oranje in the game.

Rohit Mirza was at the heart of Mumbay’s attacking moves, setting up Kaustubh Panchal with a golden opportunity to make it 2-0. However, Panchal failed to make clean contact, squandering the chance with a mistimed poke.

MH Oranje’s best chance came in the 78th minute when Nitesh Monde delivered a brilliant outside-foot cross into the box. Kamie latched onto it with a well-hit volley, but Mumbay FC’s goalkeeper Joe produced a miraculous diving save to deny the equalizer.

As the match edged towards full time, Mumbay FC nearly sealed the game in the 90th minute. Reagan burst into the box on a counterattack and squared the ball to Harsh, whose close-range tap-in was brilliantly kept out by Mukunthan.

Deep into stoppage time, MH Oranje continued to press for an equalizer. Prathamesh Kasare whipped in a precise cross to the far post, but Kamie’s header only found the side netting.

As the clock hit 90 minutes, 8 minutes was added on into the clock. However an injury to Mumbay keeper meant a significant portion of that added time was used up as a result the referee decided to extend the play to recover the lost time.

Just when Mumbay FC seemed to have secured victory, the decisive moment arrived. Nitesh Monde, showing great anticipation on the left flank, dispossessed Reagan before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box. The ball fell perfectly to Khatib, who controlled it deftly before unleashing a stunning volley past the helpless keeper, leveling the score at perhaps the last moment of the game and sparking wild celebrations in the Oranje camp.

With this Mumbay now have 4 points and up next they will play Hope United FC on 20th Feb while MH Oranje will play CFCI on 19th Feb. Stay tuned to Football Counter

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