FC Mumbaikar holds Indian Gymkhana in 2nd division

by Spandan Paul February 13, 2018

12^th February,2018 –  The week started off with 5 MDFA matches being played on Monday ,here, at St. Xaviers Ground, Parel, Mumbai. While Indian Gymkhana came from behind to hold FC Mumbaikars to a 1-1 stalemate in group C of first division, Rudra FC overcame Sporting Option FC 1-0 in group G clash.

In the last pre-quarters of 3^rd division Indian Ex-Service Man stormed into the quarters with a 4-2 victory over Judean United SC in tie-breaker. Meanwhile in 1^st division Group A fictures Rizvi Ceramics upset Somaiya Sports Academy while Malvani FC routed higher placed Goan Sports Asso 4-2.

2^nd division,Group C-  FC Mumbaikarss (A) (Mohit 41’)  1-1  Indian Gymkhana (Suraj 70’)

In the day’s last match FC Mumbaikars,the group topper in 2^nd division group C squared off against Indian Gymkhana. FC Mumbaikars has had a fairly satisfying campaign, going unbeaten in all of the 6 matches played while Indian Gymkhana wanted a win desperately to squeeze themselves out of the mid table crisis.

The first half went by, with both the teams trying to get the deadlock broken. But the defence line of both the teams made sure there was no slip-up in the backline to keep a clean sheet going into the break. Soon after the play resumed in second half, FC Mumbaikars drew the first blood riding on Mohit Vattekat strike after a beautiful assist by Deepak Waghela.

With just 41 minutes on the board, Indian Gymkhana had sufficient amount of time to reorganize after the setback. Amithkumar Bhat from deep in the defense tried to penetrate FC Mumbaikar’s defense by providing beautiful crosses to his winger and forwards. One such attempt was headed into the net by Sandeep, only to be ruled offside immediately.

Indian Gymkhana’s rapid attack meant their defence could get exposed for every rare mistakes in the upfront. That’s what happened when a hurried clearance by Ashish Venu found an unmarked Adhitya Swami, the Mumbaikars’ forward, who shot it wide of the target to the relief of Indian Gymkhana supporters.

Just as it seemed Fc Mumbaikars has all but wrapped up the game , Indian Gymkhana got a rare chance from spotkick as Deepak Waghela brought down Suraj Lad, the IG striker in the box. Suraj took the penalty himself and calmly put it into the bottom left corner to gift Indian Gymkhana the crucial equalizer. FC Mumbaikars retain their top position in the group with 13 points from 7 matches while FC Mumbaikars remain static at 6^th spot with 8 points from 6 matches after this stalemate.

2^nd Division, Group G-   Rudra FA (A) (Shoeb 14’)  1-0 Sporting Option FC

In another 2^nd division clash in group G ,  Rudra FA earned a crucial victory over Sporting Option FC . The only decisive goal of the match came in the first half when Shoeb Shaikh scored with 14’ minutes in the clock . This was an important victory for Rudra FC as they now jumps from 5^th spot to the 2^nd spot in this group standings with 14 points from 7 matches while Sporting Option sunk to their 4^th defeat in 7 matches.

3^rd division pre-quarter-  Indian Ex-service Man 0-0 [FT] 4-2[Tie-breaker] Judean United SC

In the day’s only 3^rd division play-off clash Indian Ex-service Man met Judean United SC in the last pre-quarter final. Both the teams failed in their attempts to break the deadlock in the stipulated full time. Thus, much like other pre-quarters this match also went into the tie-breaker in search of a decisive scoreline. Indian Ex-Service man, out of the service of at least couple of players who have donned their jerseys until this season, prevailed in the shoot-out to clinch a 4-2 victory. While Jonathan Dias, Viral Mandalia, Abhijit Mendon and Adrian Morres coverted for Ex-service man from the spot Prakash Singh and Kevin Alvares scored for Judean United SC in the tie-breaker. Thus they set up a quarter final clash with KNFC.

1^st Divison,Group A- Rizvi Ceramics  1-0 Somaiya Sports Academy  ( Ashwin VJ 65’[own goal])

Meanwhile in a 1^st division group A match Somaiya Sports Academy suffered a rare upset loss when they locked horns with Rizvi Ceramics in the afternoon. Somaiya Sports Academy was a tad too unlucky, as the only goal of the match came in the form of an own goal by Ashwin VJ late into the second half at 65^th minute. This win saw Rizvi Ceramics topple SSA from the 3^rd spot coming from 5^th spot as they now have 12 points from 7 matches, one more than Somaiya Sports Academy in same no. of matches.

1^st Division,Group A –

Malvani FC (Tanish 30’ 52’, Avlon 36’, Moheeb 79’) 4-2 Goan Sports Association (Sagar 25’,Lionel 57’)

In another group A clash in 1^st division, Malvani FC came from a goal down to blank Goan Sports Association 4-2 in a high scoring clash. Sagar Patel put the Goan side ahead in the 25^th minute. Malvani responded back within 5 minutes as Tanish Bedi who graced the occasion with a brace scored his first goal in the 30^th  minute. Avlon Dias made it 2-1 for Malvani in the first half. Tanish scored his second goal just as the play resumed in the second half  before Lionel Caldeira pulled one back for Goan Sports Asso. Moheeb Hussain sealed the glorious victory for Malvani as he scored the final goal in the 79^th minute to complete a routing of 4-2 in their favour.

Malvani FC now jumps 2 spots to 4^th position, tied on equal points with Somaiya Sports Academy who stands below them at 5^th spot due less number of goals scored.