This writer witnessed power-packed Five versus Five football action spread across two turfs.

Also, Mr. Hanzel Fernandez’ witticisms from the commentary area had the fans in splits!

As the teams put on a show the one-touch penalty rule caught the eye.

Though Bandra Packers beat Invincibles in the girls final still the men’s semifinals hogged the limelight.

Both semifinals had a display of high-quality attacking football.

The second one stood out as Kalina Rangers beat MYJ in a thriller.

Rangers held their nerve to win a pulsating contest on penalties!

Earlier Joga Bonito beat BBFC in the first semifinal thanks to a superb team effort.

They (Joga) eventually won the final but the real winner was the fantastic advertisement of football!

Dion Menezes (Joga Bonito) was named MVP of the Tournament while Tyson Pereira (who scored two fabulous goals in the quarter-finals against Falcon Brothers) won the tournaments Most Promising Player.

The event was sponsored by Shanthi Kunnj in association with Zars Sports and the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA). The other partners and sponsors were: Monster Energy (Energy Partner); Jean Claude Biguine (Salon & Spa Partner); Kipsta by Decathlon at Atria Mall (Sports Partner); Skyvik (Gift Partner); Shah Steel & Tubes and Prime Sports (Trophy Partners).

Indeed the successful event concluded with vote of thanks to all the participants and sponsors and partners. The organizer also revealed that the number of the tournaments already lined up for the year and this would be a treat to Mumbai football, to connect with Zars follow them on Instagram @zarssports and on Facebook: ZarsSports to stay tuned for more!

Also Read: HERO I-LEAGUE: Norde magic helps Bagan down Neroca FC

Also Read: HERO I-LEAGUE: Real Kashmir inch closer to top after Aizawl stalemate

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To read about Young Footballers’ IFS – League of Champions (LOC) held at Andheri Sports Complex please click here! 

Here is the Round-up of Day 2 held at Cooperage Stadium.

Under-8:

In the U-8, two matches were played which included strong sides such as Sri Ma Gurukul Team B, Rush Mumbai, Indian Football School, and Don Bosco.

The first match saw Sri Ma Gurukul Team B locking horns against Rush Mumbai where a goal each from Mustafa Darvesh and Abhir Dhodi guided Rush Mumbai to a fine 2-0 victory. In the second and final game of Under-8 category, a close encounter between Indian Football School and Don Bosco ended in a 1-1 draw with Tanay Jain and Keegan Peres scoring apiece for their respective teams.

Under-10:

The U-10 category saw a total of seven matches played at Cooperage with some exciting fixtures on cards. Indian Football School Team B registered a fine 8-0 win against Sri Ma Gurukul B with Agastya Raichand bagging four, Ananjay Dom Daniel scoring a hattrick and Armaan Bery a solo.

Indian Football School Team B won their next game too with the same scoreline as they brushed past Sitaram Mill Compound MPS after Agastya Raichand and Ananjay Dom Daniel both the fine players netted four goals each to win the match 8-0 at Cooperage.

In yet another goal fest, Don Bosco Team A overcame Indian Football School 7-0 as Cristiano Fernandes, Nathen Paul, and Aayush Kharat scored twice, whereas, Yohaan Panjuani, Aditya Gagula, and Utkarsh scored one each to complete a resounding victory.

Other results: Golar Indian Football Academy 5-1 Football World, Sri Ma Gurukul Team A 3-1 Baria Football Club, Don Bosco Team A 9-0 Sitaram Mill Compound, Sri Ma Gurukul Team A 0-3 Don Bosco Team B.

Under-12:

In the U-12 category at Cooperage, Kooh Sports displayed an inspirational performance to register a 6-1 triumph over Indian Football Team. Ranvir Malik, Syed Ahmed (2), Meet Modi, and Gaurav Dodeja got on the scoresheet to guide Kooh Sports to victory.

In the other game, Don Bosco met Sri Ma Gurukul Team A in an exciting match which saw Don Bosco winning the clash 4-1 at Cooperage. Harsh Palande scored a fine hat-trick, whereas, Vedant Sawant scored the other goal.

Other Results: Sri Ma Gurukul Team B 0-0 Rush Mumbai, Football World 2-3 Aditya Birla World Academy, Kooh Sports 3-2 Golar Indian Football Academy, Football World 0-2 Golar Indian Football Academy.

Under-14:

A total of three matches were played in the U-14 category, Sri Ma Gurukul Team B faced Rahee Foundation, Kings United played Aditya Birla World Academy, and Sri Ma Gurukul Team A locked horns against Rahee Foundation.

It was Asim and Vivek’s goal which helped Rahee Foundation to register a fine 2-0 win, whereas, Kings United won 2-1 against Aditya Birla World Academy, and in the last game Rahee Foundation won again as they overcame Sri Ma Gurukul Team A 5-0.

Nooruddin Salahuddin Shaikh scored a fine hat-trick, whereas, Yadav Vivek Gulab and Asim scored once for Rahee Foundation.

To know more about the IFS – League of Champions please visit their Facebook Page: facebook.com/yngfootballers

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Pune FC U-19 came into the game knowing a win would seal their progress to the next round and having thrashed today’s hosts in the reverse fixture, Pune FC were the favorites to leave Mumbai with all three points. PIFA Colaba U-19 on the other hand were still looking for their first win of the competition, and only had pride to play for apart from avoiding the embarrassment of finishing last in the group.

The first half had a good tempo to it and the hosts were able to match their visitors for majority of the opening exchanges. Pune FC however began to take control of proceedings and putting pressure of PIFA Colaba who still had the wounds from last time’s meeting with Pune FC fresh.

As the game crossed the half hour mark, the hosts started believing in themselves and came close to taking the lead in the 30th minute through a set piece. But it was the visitors who ended the half on the front foot.

Arif Shaikh was played in on goal in the 40th minute, but he could only manage to send his shot wide. It was a great chance for the visitors to go in front. They nearly did so a minute later when they hit the crossbar.

Pune FC were beginning to string together some nice moves and the best of which nearly resulted in the opening goal for Pune FC when Myron Mendes broke free into the PIFA box after a beautifully crafted move from the visitors, but his shot was crucially saved by the PIFA Colaba goalkeeper, to ensure his side head into half time level.

It was the visitors who had the better of the first half, but hosts PIFA Colaba did have their moments especially as they got some joy from set piece situations.

Pune FC came storming out in the second half pegging PIFA Colaba deep into their half. Pune’s Arif Shaikh nearly gave them the lead when his header from a Prakash Sarkar cross went inches over the crossbar.

Three minutes later, Pune FC made the breakthrough after Farukh Choudhary did well to latch on to a long ball as he was through on goal to lob over the PIFA goalkeeper to put the visitors in front.

The goal seemed to have opened the floodgates as Pune doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute after they were awarded a penalty which was coolly converted by Myron Mendes.

Pune FC were peppering the PIFA Colaba goal as PIFA were hanging on to stay alive in the game. Pune FC had many chances to extend their lead but some wayward shooting form their front men meant the score remained 2-0 as we entered the final twenty minutes.
Pune FC though made their dominance count, adding a third goal in the 71st minute, thanks to a cracking effort from Altamesh Sayyad from twenty five yards. It was a brilliant finish from the Pune FC midfielder.

PIFA’s night turned from bad to worse as the PIFA goalkeeper rushed off his line, but failed to collect allowing Farukh Choudhary to get his second of the game as he put the ball in the empty net to make it 4-0 in the favor of the visitors just a minute later.

PIFA Colaba changed their goalkeeper and he was involved straight away as he came long way off his line to block a goal bound effort. The rebound fell kindly to a Pune FC offender whose shot was heroically blocked by the PIFA Colaba defender in the 80th minute.

Two minutes later Pune FC scored again with Altamesh Sayyad getting on the act again as Pune were among the goals yet again at Cooperage.

PIFA Colaba avoided further embarrassment as. they stopped a relentless Pune FC from adding another one as referee blew for full time.

Pune FC produced a brilliant second half display as PIFA Colaba failed to live with them. The win eliminates Kenkre FC and takes Pune FC to the top of the Maharshtra Qualifying Zone table of the U-19 I-League.

PIFA Colaba remain bottom after their fifth defeat of the competition.

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The game was heading for a dull goalless draw before Raju Meetei struck gold for RCF deep into stoppage time. Both, RCF and Central Railways were looking to bounce back from defeats in their respective last games in the Elite Division. Central Railways were thrashed by Union Bank of India by a margin of 4-0, while RCF narrowly went down to PIFA Colaba by a more respectable margin of 4-3.

The game started slowly with both teams struggling to create good chances to score. RCF slowly started to have more of the ball, but they had to wait upto 15 minutes for their first attempt of any note, whem Angampu headed over from a Nishant Rana cross.

RCF continued to dominate the ball, but failed to work Pradeep Kumar who was in goal for Central Railways. Their best opportunity of the half came in the 29th minute when, Nishant Rana did brilliantly to get on the end of a cleared header to cut back for Kevin Patrick who fired his shot over the crossbar.

Central Railways won a free kick in a promising position in the 40th minute, but failed to make it count as RCF were able to clear the danger. RCF’s Sidhu Singh headed wide from a corner in the second minute of stoppage time, before the referee signaled for half time.
RCF had more of the ball, but Central Railways were successful in keeping them at bay and it was clear that RCF needed to up the intensity if they were to grab the three points.

The second half had a similar pattern as RCF saw more of the ball without threatening the Central Raiways goal. RCF replaced Kevin Patrick with Gadam in the 71st minute, hoping to spark life into what was panning out to be a very dull game of football.

Two minutes later, the RCF substitute chested down a cross in Raju Meetei’s path, who shot at the Central Railways goal but the sting of the shot was taken away thanks to a block allowing Pradeep Kumar to collect comfortably.
Central Railways who were having a slightly better second half came close to taking the lead in the 80th minute after a well strung move resulted in Central Railway substitute Gagan S. shooting goalwards, but his shot was straight at the RCF goalkeeper Vikram Singh.

But deep into the 4th minute of stoppage time RCF found a way through as Ashish Dawarkar delivered a delicious cross into the box which was headed home by Raju Meetei to send the RCF bench into delirium.

RCF managed to grind out a victory on a day when they were clearly not at their best. It was a cruel blow for Central Railways to concede so late, but it was a game where they hardly offered anything.

It was a very dull game overall with its brightest spot coming right at the end as Raju Meetei’s stoppage time strike earned RCF the points.

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Central Bank of India were back in action after recently beating Dena Bank 2-0. Western Railways were in action after a long time with their last appearance coming in the RCF Premier Cup.

Both teams cancelled each other out in the opening quarter of the game with a few long range efforts the best that both sides could create.

Central Bank came the closest to taking the lead in a first half which had very few things to report, when Hitesh Chodankar struck an absolute belter of a shot at the Western Railways goal, which was brilliantly saved to his right by the Western Railways shot stopper Lalit Parmar in the 26th minute.

Three minutes later, Western Railways thought they should have had a penalty when their striker was blocked by the CBI defender. The inter-Railway champions might have had a case there, but the referee was not in a great position to spot it as he waved to play on, much to CBI’s relief.

It was a cagey affair, with both teams hardly threatening in the remainder of the first half as the teams went to the break at 0-0. The strikers of both teams were caught offside way too many times and both the teams lacked the creativity to make a difference in the scoreline.

But the second half started with a bang as Central Bank of India took the lead just 5 minutes into the second half, as Hitesh Chodankar’s strike flew into the top corner. It was a brilliant striker from the CBI No.7 which gave CBI the all-important lead in a very tight game.

CBI nearly doubled that lead in the 58th minute when a free kick from Johnson D’Silva was acrobatically tipped away from goal by Lalit Parmar for a corner for CBI.

Western Railways made a substitution in the 61st minute replacing Sadanand Nirmal with Saheb Singh with a view of getting a foothold back in the game which was winging the CBI’s way.

CBI were beginning to create plenty of chances, as Johnson D’Silva’s volley from a corner was punched away from the Western Railways goalkeeper three minutes later.

In the 69th minute, Anil Pawar of the Western Railways forced a fine low save out of Sarfaraz Ansari after he was neatly played in space. The chance seemed to have spurred Western Railways on as they had a bit more swagger in their play.

The improvement in their play was instantly rewarded when, Somi P.T. drew Western Railways level in the 71st minute, after firing home a low cross from their right flank.

The second half was completely opposite the first half, which lacked any kind of goal mouth action. But as the game approached the full time whistle, the fizz went out of the game as both teams weren’t keen to risk the point in hand for all three.

The game ended level pegging as both teams seemed to be satisfied with a point from the day’s work. The draw was the fair result in an overall dull game lacking creativity.

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The game began at a frantic pace with both teams attacking at either end to gain the all important lead. Companeroes defence managed to keep KSA’s in form striker Ahiri Uchela at bay by clearing their lines from Ryan Kolarikkal’s continuous penetrative crosses from the left. The KSA defence on the other hand were caught surprised as they had to deal with an unknown measure in Companeroes debutant & new foreign recruit Steven Olyevuchi, his speed and strength proved to be menacing on quite a few occasions, early in the first half.

Karnataka Sporting were caught on the back foot midway through the first half, when a shot by Reed Santos clearly came off the hand of one of their defenders inside the box, the referee made no hesitation in pointing to the spot. KSA had their goalkeeper Kishen Sulegai to thank, after he pulled of a brilliant save from Jardin Braganza’s penalty kick, diving to his right.

The 2nd half saw KSA  pressing higher with Souvaid Ansari and Valentine Pereira pulling the strings from midfield. Ahiri Uchela did well to keep Companeroes custodian Wren D’Abreo on his toes, after he managed to make some attempts on goal despite close attention from Fazil Sheikh. The Nigerian was handed a brilliant opportunity in the 60th minute when he was put through the middle by Tarique Ansari but it was an outstretched Wren D’Abreo’s fingertips that denied KSA the lead.

Companeroes got back into the game with some consistent passing in the midfield as Joshua Vessaokar and Reed Santos combined well to take the Red and Yellow attack forward. Their efforts paid dividends in the 74th minute when Steven Olyevuchi latched on to a loose ball outside the KSA box, after a cross from the left was not properly dealt with. Steven’s square pass was perfectly met by Joshua, who made a clever run into the box and unleashed a rasping shot with his left foot. The goal came as a big boost to Companeroes talisman Joshua Vessaokar, making his return to the team after a year’s absence.

KSA tried to claw their way back into the game dominating possession and making attempts at the Companeroes goal but were denied on every occasion. The frustration took to them as Ahiri Uchela was shown the red card for an off the ball incident in the 80th minute, when he deliberately elbowed Fazil Sheikh in the face. The task got all the more difficult for KSA, being down to 10 men. Companeroes Nigerian import Steven Olyevuchi had a glorious opportunity to grab his debut goal and further the lead in the closing stages but was unfortunate to see his effort come off the upright with KSA keeper Kishen Sulegai rooted to the spot.

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Elvis Ozawara was the star again for the Colaba side, as his brace helped them bag the three points.

Kenkre were back into Elite Division action after a long break. Their last appearance was in the RCF Premier Cup. PIFA Colaba on the other hand were fresh from a hard fought draw against Air India.

The game got off to a cracking start as Rigved Yeole stunned PIFA Colaba giving Kenkre FC the lead with a well taken goal in the 4th minute. But their joy was short lived, as PIFA Colaba came storming back into the game.

PIFA equalized through Elvis Ozawara in the 7th minute, as Zeeshan Shaikh finished after the goalkeeper had parried a shot in his path, a minute later to complete the turnaround as PIFA Colaba led 2-1.

The game was being played at a good pace and there were chances at both ends. Kenkre leveled the scores again in the 21st minute when Arvind Rajan bundled in from close range after receiving a pass from the left.

Six minutes later, Kenkre FC threatened again as Yash Mhatre drove into the PIFA box going past three defenders in the process. But his last touch was slightly heavy, allowing James Swamy the time to pounce and collect. It was a great bit of play from Yash Mhatre.

PIFA nearly took the lead in the 31st minute when Elvis Ozawara put his shot over after meeting a cross from Deep Morjani from PIFA’s right flank. It was a poor miss from the PIFA forward considering his own high standards.

Elvis Ozawara was in on goal again three minutes later, after beautifully picked out by a through ball. His toe poked effort was nicely saved by the Kenkre goalkeeper Saeesh A.V.

Kenkre’s Arvind Rajan brilliantly made his way through on goal after some intricate play, but he couldn’t finish off the move as he shot over.

Both teams went into half time level pegging at 2-2. It was an entertaining first half with plenty of goals and chances for both sides.

The second half started in similar fashion with both sides looking to get in front. But it was PIFA Colaba who took the lead through Deep Morjani in the 51st minute to put PIFA Colaba 3-2 ahead.

Elvis Ozawara almost got his second goal of the game four minutes later, when he attempted an audacious scissor kick after chesting down a cross from the left wing.

Kenkre FC were denied an equalizer by the heroic James Swamy in the 62nd minute, who produced a brave low save to deny Arvind Rajan. The Kenkre forward should have scored his second as it was a poor miss by him.

Kenkre brought on Arish Sutaria in place of Kamran Siddhique a minute later as they were looking to rescue a point from the game. In the 67th minute, Elvis Ozawara danced his way in the box to pick out Zeeshan Shaikh in the middle, whose shot was crucially blocked by the Kenkre defence. He was booked for a constant argument with the referee three minutes later PIFA Colaba killed the game with a fourth goal in the 75th minute, from the impressive Elvis Ozawara who was played in on goal as he made no mistake in the thumping the ball in the back of the net despite a fist from the Kenkre goalkeeper.

The goal deflated Kenkre FC as they failed to mount a fight back, giving PIFA Colaba another victory in the MDFA Elite Division.
PIFA Colaba had too much firepower for Kenkre FC in the end as the result was never in doubt since Zeeshan Shaikh pulled PIFA Colaba in front in the 8th minute, despite Kenkre taking the lead in the 4th minute.

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