Hailing from Madh Island, a region with a deep-rooted football culture dating back to 1961, Waves FC was founded in 2020 with a powerful mission—to unite the island’s vast talent pool and give it a sole representative in the competitive Mumbai football scene.

In a remarkable feat of club football, Waves FC has achieved an unprecedented five consecutive promotions, rocketing from the 5th tier to the very top of Mumbai football. This incredible journey is a about the passion for the game of a team primarily composed of players from Madh Island itself.

The club’s rise has been swift and stunning:

MFA 3rd Division: Secured promotion with a 3rd place finish.
MFA 2nd Division: Crowned champions.
MFA 1st Division: Achieved yet another promotion.
Mumbai Super League: Finished as runners-up, Promoted to the Elite Tier.

This rapid ascent is one of the most successful narratives in the history of the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) leagues.

The backbone of this inspiring project is its founding leadership. The club was established by co-founders and owners, Chandal Koli and Murgesh Nadar.

Their vision was translated into success on the pitch by Head Coach Santosh Koli, a former Santosh Trophy player who holds an AFC B-License. Under his guidance, the team not only won matches but also captured the spirit of the community they represent.

Waves FC is not stopping here. The club’s ambitious goal for the next 5-10 years is twofold: to win the Mumbai Premier League championship and earn promotion to the national stage of the I-League.

Crucially, the club is committed to nurturing homegrown talent, striving to create potential football players who can represent both the state and the nation, thereby giving back to the community that fuels their success.

This exceptional journey has been recognized and documented by Football Counter. The first part of their documentary, detailing the football culture of Madh Island and the founding of Waves FC, has been officially published. You can find this inspiring story on the Football Counter YouTube channel.

For the full documentary click here

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Group A has already been dubbed the “Group of Death,” featuring defending champions IOT, who will be eager to retain their crown amidst a tough pool of challengers. Joining them are Hope United FC, MH Oranje FC, Mumbai City FC, Kalina Rangers CFF, and the ever-promising Reliance Foundation Young Champs.

Also in the mix are MUM D.K. Flag Foundation, Bombay Gymkhana, Sellebrity FC, and Waves FC — a club that has been on an incredible rise through the divisions.

Waves have achieved back-to-back promotions over the past few seasons, climbing from the Third Division to the Elite Division, and will once again be eyeing the same prize this year. Their journey and momentum make them one of the teams to watch in Group A, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already stacked lineup.

Group B, on the other hand, presents a balanced yet equally competitive field led by last season’s finalists MYJ-GMSC, who will be determined to go one better this time.

The group also features some of Mumbai’s most consistent and formidable sides such as Mumbai FC, ICL Mumbai, Kenkre FC, CFCI, and Millat FC. Rounding off the group are Iron Born FC, PIFA Sports (Colaba) FC, MSP, and Mumbai Ultras FC, all capable of producing upsets and shaking up the table.

With defending champions IOT and finalists MYJ-GMSC placed in separate groups, fans can expect high-quality football and potential blockbuster clashes as the tournament progresses.

The Mumbai Premier League 2025–26 is tentatively set to kick off on November 5, 2025, with the current groupings also tentative. As the city gears up for another footballing spectacle, one thing is certain — this season is primed to deliver thrilling encounters, new stories of resilience, and another unforgettable chapter in Mumbai football.

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Mumbai came into the game with a confident win against Kenkre FC. The first ten minutes saw a series of fouls as both sets of players were vying for the ball. Regardless of that, Mumbai tried hard to control possession but were not able to put their stamp on the game.

The match broke into life as UBI got a free kick in the Mumbai FC half. The free kick was cleared with ease by Kali which led to a Mumbai FC counter-attack but was dealt with as the UBI defenders kept their stance. Midway through the first half, Mumbai got a series of opportunities in the form of two free kicks and three corners but failed to capitalise on them as UBI got back into the game steadily and the game finished evenly at half-time with both sides unable to break the dead lock.

Mumbai FC were kept waiting by UBI players at the start of the second half. Mumbai kicked off with a long ball from the centre to Abhishek Ambekar who ran in from the right but failed to connect as the UBI goalie rushed in to collect the ball. Allan Dias received a yellow card for a rash challenge.

Mumbai FC began to show urgency as they stepped up the pressure. Rahul Bheke crossed from the right flank to John Coutinho whose header was parried away by the diving UBI custodian. Taisuke lead another attack from the midfield and quickly the ball to the right to Abhishek Ambekar who with his quick feet, induced a foul from the opponents. John Coutinho took the free kick and the flat cross was mistakenly headed in by UBI player Tejas Raut. Mumbai went one goal up in the 50^th minute.

On a sudden counter attack in the 58^th minute, UBI player Shannon Pereira headed in the ball as Mumbai goalkeeper Nidhinlal fumbled and the ball rolled in to the  Mumbai goal.

The entire game scenario changed when Josimar came in for Manuel D’Souza in the 68^th minute. His presence pumped up the adrenaline in the Mumbai players.

In the 73^rd minute, Josimar began the attack by distributing the ball to Abhishek Ambekar on the right who lobbed it in for Taisuke to head the ball back towards Josimar. Josimar made no mistake and showed his class with a cool header to score his first goal for Mumbai FC.

The high tempo game then saw attack after attack from Mumbai. Josimar’s header hit the post and a loitering Cletus made no mistake to thump in Mumbai’s third goal in the 75^th minute. The goal fest continued as Taisuke took a corner in the 77’. His looping cross was flicked in by Kali Alaudeen to Josimar who scored his second goal with a sublime finish.

Another great play on the left flank saw Allan Dias go through and cross it in. Abhishek Ambekar was calm to chest the ball down and thumped it in the goal to score his first for Mumbai.

UBI player Aaron D’Costa scored a consolation goal in added time. However, Mumbai had some more fuel left in their tank as Josimar, again the creator; put a through ball to Abhishek Ambekar who scored his second with a clean finish.

Mumbai now has six points from two games in the MDFA Elite Division having scored nine goals and conceded two.

Mumbai FC is powered by Playwin, our Main Sponsor for season 2014-15.

Match Report

Mumbai FC 6 – 2 Union bank of India

Mumbai FC :

Starting Line up: Nidhin Lal; Allan Dias, Justin Stephen, Kali Allaudeen, Rahul Bheke; Pradeep Mohanraj, Taisuke Matsugae; John Coutinho, Abhishek Ambekar, Manuel D’Souza; Cletus Paul

Substitutes: Sanjiban Ghosh, Collin Abranches, Kamljeet Kumar, Nihal Chandran, Ritesh Perambra, Josimar Da Silva, Clyde Fernandes

Union Bank of India

Starting Line up: Sheldon Raghavan, Jiten Koli, Kevin D’Silva, Tejas Raut, Pankaj Koli, Shanon Pereira, Chetan Tandel, Khalid Siddiqui, Manish Koli, Aaron D’Costa, Pratik Koli

Substitutes: Uzair Ansari, Ryan D’Souza, Sanjay Rathod, Shravan Shetty, Troy Nunes, Carlton D’Mello, Mrunal Tandel, 

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