30th Nov, 2014 – Mumbai: Mumbai play the Central Railways in the MDFA Elite Division at Cooperage Football Stadium on 30th November as they look to continue their winning run.

Mumbai have won all six of the Elite Division Games they have played till now scoring 21 goals and conceding only 4 in the process. While it has not always been easy, their dominance in this league can be easily highlighted.

Josimar Da Silva, who has been the leading scorer for Mumbai with 5 goals, displayed his happiness as he said, “It’s a fantastic run. The important part for me personally is that I am scoring goals for them regularly. I hope to take this form into the upcoming season.”

Team Manager Henry Picardo avoided being too overconfident as he said, “We all should keep our feet on the ground. Football is unpredictable. Right now, our aim is to improve our game as much as we can and try to win the next match.”

Central Railways has only played one game in the tournament thus far which ended in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Western Railways.

Mumbai will be without Rahul Bheke in this encounter as he was at the receiving end of a red card in the last game played against Karnatak Sporting.

Mumbai FC have the opportunity to increase the gap between them and second placed Customs to 11 points by winning this match.

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Mumbai FC were quickly out of the blocks as it took them just 3 minutes to win their first corner. KSA dealt with it, but at the expense of another corner which resulted in a goal kick for KSA. Mumbai FC started imposing themselves on the game as a piece of intricate play between Paresh Shivalkar and S Kutty Many  in the 7^th minute, resulted in a chance for striker Josimar De Silva but he scuffed his shot and KSA goalkeeper Kishan Sulegai collected calmly.

It was KSA’s time to respond and striker Arihi Uchela drove at the Mumbai FC defense only to be fouled fouled by Mumbai FC defender Justin Stepehen who received the first booking of the game. KSA wasted the opportunity and there were very few to follow.

Mumbai FC piled on the pressure, drawing errors from the KSA midfield as they gave the ball away too many times. There was flurry of free kicks for Mumbai FC between the 20^th and the 33^rd minute. But KSA survived and managed to keep the score at 0-0.

But their resistance was finally broken in the 35^th minute, when Mumbai FC midfielder Taisuke Matsugae latched on to a loose ball and played S. Kutty Mani in on the flank who drove past the left back and his cut back was missed by the KSA defence and fell kindly for Mumbai FC front man Josimar De Silva who slotted home nicely to give Mumbai FC a much deserved lead.

KSA tried to respond six minutes later when Roger Sam profited from a scramble but his shot went just wide of the goal. This was the best chance that KSA had managed all half. Three minutes later KSA goalkeeper’s goal kick was headed back Mumbai FC defender Kalia Laudeen which set S Kutty Mani in open space, but his first time shot was well wide.

Mumbai FC went into half time a goal to the good. KSA had their work cut out as they had been completely dominated by their opponents and needed to get headway in the game.

The second half started in the similar fashion with Josimar De Silva heading inches wide after John Coutinho had done brilliantly to create the opening. Both sides made their first substitutions in the next five minutes with Colling Abranches coming on for Justin Stephen for Mumbai FC and Sam Cruz  replacing Roger Sam in the KSA midfield.

The latter had a great impact as he got into pockets of spaces behind the Mumbai FC midfield, creating problems for the League Leaders. KSA’s influence was growing and they had a glorious opportunity in the 56^th minute to equalize after Sam Cruz set Arihi Uchela through on goal but his shot was saved. Uchela latched on to the rebound and laid off for Sam Cruz who hit his shot straight at the keeper.

KSA again came close when they benefited from a loose pass, but the KSA attacker shot over. Mumbai FC were in a more even contest but they still had their chances when Mumbai FC’s Japanese midfielder Taisuke played in winger Paresh Shivalkar who dropped his shoulder and laid it off on a plate, only for Josimar De Silva to fire wide in the 71^st minute. Four minutes later S. Kutty Mani had his shot blocked brilliantly by the KSA defender.

KSA’s growing influence was rewarded in the 80^th minute when Valentine Pereira got into the space created by Sam Cruz’s presence and set Arihi Uchela through on goal whose shot had enough power to oversee a touch from the Mumbai FC keeper as it rolled into the net to send KSA into delirium. Uchela was cautioned for excessive celebration.

It was game on and Mumbai FC  came back with an almost perfect response when the Mumbai FC midfielder shot inches wide. The game was getting frantic and there were chances at both ends as the officials indicated four minutes of stoppage time.

With the three points now very much up for grabs, things got ugly when substitute Rahul Bheke punched at the KSA keeper as the Mumbai FC player thought he was too strong in his challenge. Initially the referee showed Bheke a yellow card, but after minutes of confusion he reversed his decision and rightly sent Bheke off, but at the same time wrongly gave the KSA keeper his marching orders. This did not go well with the KSA camp.

The game restarted in the 97^th minute. KSA clearly displeased with the referee’s call lost their concentration as the second half Mumbai FC substitute Collin Abranches’ cross was flicked on by Josimar De Silva in Taisure Matsugae’s path who converted from close range to break KSA hearts in the 8^th minute of stoppage time.

There was hardly time for any response from KSA as the referee blew for full time meaning Karnataka Sporting Association had to again leave empty handed after a good display. Mumbai FC mean while rolled on with a sixth win in as many games.

Despite the protests from KSA, Mumbai FC deserved their victory for their first half dominance and sheer belief and determination to go till the very end b ut a gritty KSA did give them a scare.

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It wasn’t difficult for Mumbai Customs facing Kenkre FC, as it was easy pickings for them in a game which they dominated right from the start. Praneel Mendon and Jinto Jose did a stellar job in the Customs half line as they looked prominent with their distribution and consistent passing during the game.

Goals from Deepak Irmali in the 18th minute, a brace from Mathias Coutinho in the 20th minute and 57th minute, a Sagar Bedekar header in the 27th minute and Jinto Jose’ penalty late in the first half were the highlights of the match.

Though in the second half Kenkre FC tried to get their act together, as they started the 2nd half strongly and tried to bring in some momentum but there were only a few occasions, they were barely able to reach in Customs territory, the story turned out to be the same as in the first half with Kenkre doing most of the chasing, trying to defend Mumbai Customs attacks and keep the score decent.

In the 18th minute, it was nice cross by Mathias Coutinho from the right flank which found an unmarked Sagar, who did well to control the ball and lay it off to Deepak inside the box and he finished comfortably for Customs 1st goal.

A few minutes later Mathias Coutinho gobbled up a delicious cross by Praneel Mendon with a powerful header into the back of the net and made it 2-0 in favour of Customs.

Leading the game, Customs din’t hold back as they continued their goal scoring blitz. In the 27th minute, Vaibhav played in a wonderful aerial ball from the right flank when he collected a nice through ball from the half line, Sagar Bedekar anticipated the ball with perfect timing as he headed home the 3rd.

In the injury time of the first half, things got more worse for Kenkre FC as Referee Ravi Pandey awarded a penalty when Kenkre FC’s Aniket Admane tackled Deepak from behind, the spot kick was well converted by Jinto Jose.

Later in second half there were too many chances wasted by Mumbai Customs as they were on driving seat with 4-0 lead. They were more relaxed and kept the momentum going with a string of good passes and possession play, in the 57th minute Mumbai Customs completed their assignment through winger Mathias, with his solo run towards the goal, he took on a Kenkre defender as well as the goal keeper to slot home the ball for the celebrations.

Kenkre FC certainly look out of sorts this season as they have now have a mountain to climb with a goal difference of -8 from their 2 games. As for Mumbai Customs they are looking strong contenders this season with a well balanced squad and more importantly their in form strike force.

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