Mumbai Super League Playoffs: Mumbai Ultras & Brothers WA Share the Spoils in a Thrilling Draw

by Chittu Shetty January 23, 2025

In the second round of Mumbai Super League playoff clash from Group B, Mumbai Ultras and Brothers WA played out a dramatic 2-2 draw.

Shreyas Zele stole the show with a brace for the Ultras, while Ankit Chavan and Shlok Pabale found the net for Brothers WA.

The match began with Mumbai Ultras struggling defensively, allowing Brothers WA to dominate the first 20 minutes. The Brothers exploited a flat defensive setup, with Sachin Bangera proving to be a constant threat down the right flank. Bangera’s silky dribbling saw him repeatedly enter the penalty area, though his finishing left much to be desired.

The relentless pressure from Brothers WA soon paid off. In the 10th minute, Sahil Tambotkar delivered a perfectly weighted through ball into the box. Alymer latched onto the pass but was fouled before he could get a shot away, earning Brothers a penalty. Ankit Chavan stepped up and calmly converted, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner for a 1-0 lead.

The Ultras, jolted into action, began pressing higher up the pitch and countering effectively, utilizing their both wings simultaneously to drive attacks. Just before halftime, their persistence paid off. Pratik switched play with a precise pass to Sebastian on the right flank. Sebastian threaded a pinpoint ball to Shreyas Zele, who drove into the box and unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike to equalize, making it 1-1 at the break.

Buoyed by their equalizer, Mumbai Ultras came out firing in the second half. Within two minutes, Zele struck again with another clinical finish. Devesh Pandey launched a long ball from deep, catching the Brothers’ defense off guard. Zele, capitalizing on the mistake, surged into the box, rounded the goalkeeper, and finished from a tight angle to give the Ultras a 2-1 lead.

The momentum stayed with the Ultras, and five minutes later, they had a golden opportunity to extend their lead. Zele, causing havoc once more, earned a penalty after being fouled inside the box. However, Brothers WA’s experienced goalkeeper made a crucial save, denying Zele his hat-trick and keeping the scoreline at 2-1.

The missed penalty seemed to invigorate Brothers WA, who began regaining control by tightening their defensive line and dominating possession. Their efforts culminated in another penalty after Om Waghmare was pushed down inside the Ultras’ box. Shlok Pabale stepped up and confidently smashed the ball down the middle, leveling the score at 2-2 and reigniting the contest.

The final stages of the match saw chances for both teams to clinch the winner. Joyson delivered a sublime through ball to Zele, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, Brothers WA’s custodian stood tall, denying Zele what could have been a match-winning hat-trick.

In the dying minutes, Brothers WA threatened through set pieces, with substitute Adrian coming closest. His audacious header seemed destined for the top corner, but Ultras’ goalkeeper Ashray produced a fingertip save to preserve the draw — a moment that could arguably be called the save of the match.

With this draw, both teams now sit level on points, though Brothers WA edge ahead with a superior goal difference (+5) compared to the Ultras’ +4. Qualification hangs in the balance as both teams head into their final group games. Mumbai Ultras face ROQS-DFC, while Brothers WA take on Young Guns India in what promises to be a nail-biting conclusion to Group B.

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