Group C has been the group of heavyweights in the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA), First Division league. With Carmelites FC who registered a 2-0 win over St Paul’s on Sunday marched into the play-offs with 19 points, Century Rayon and Sea View would have to battle each other for the second place from the group. With both teams of 15 points and having 2 games each left anything could happen.  The second being Century Rayon vs Sea View in the decider.

St Paul’s SC meanwhile bowed out with a total of 13 points. A tally that would have taken them through in any other group. Don Lawson’s frustration with the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA), committee rightly justified after they failed to make balanced groups . Meanwhile St Paul’s SC had nothing to lose against Century Rayon as they look take some pride and bow out on a high leaving behind their 2-0 loss to Carmelites FC

And they started on the front foot with some lovely intricate passing but failed to convert the few chances that could have given them the lead. It was Century Rayon who managed to go ahead when number 11 Guljar MD fired home a goal from long range completely to St Paul’s surprise. It was Century Rayon who had one foot in the play-offs going into the break leading 1-0

No one saw the 4-0 scoreline coming. And if you have witnessed St Paul’s matches they have not leaked so many goals. But that changed today. Number 10 Manahar Sakia scored the second to give Century a two goal cushion in the 67th minute. Number 17 Thalichan Vasum neeted the 3rd in the 71st minute whereas number 4 Tejas Raut scored the 4th goal of the game in the very next minute i.e 72nd minute. A staggering 3 goals in a space of 6 minutes.

With this win Century Rayon have 18 points with a game to play. An all important game against Sea View who find themselves on 15 points with 2 games to play. The final few games promise to be edge of the seat affairs with the Sea View vs Century Rayon being the highlighted one.

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Vintage Dahisar proved to be too hot for Das Football Academy as a clinical performance from them enabled the team from Dahisar to cross the finishing line. The start looked nervy for both sides who failed to capitalise on each other’s mistakes. The tempo of the game looked slow in the beginning but later reached a new level when Das Footbal Academy had to make a comeback

Both the teams played catch up for the 40 minutes of the 1st half but it was Vintage Dahisar who went ahead in the 45th minute i.e 5 minutes into the second half. Number 14  Nishad Mandalkar came in as a super sub and netted the goal giving Dahisar a very very important lead. Nishad the coach of this Dahisar sqaud lead from the front scoring a lovely goal taking one touch to control the ball and slotting home with another. The story could have been very different had Das Football Academy strikers been clinical.

Das Football Academy boys tried to put up a surging display in the second half after they had conceded. But it was Dahisar who doubled their two goal lead. A vintage goal from number 8 Neelhar Khandagale in the 58th minute took the sting out of the opposition. Any attempts of a comeback was thwarted by this goal as Vintage Dahisar dictated the game with a no nonsense approach for the remainder of the game..

At Fulltime Vintage Dahisar boys rejoiced on an overall clinical performance whereas Das Football Academy will have to plan better for performing well in the competition next season. Everyone at Football Counter congratulates Mr Nishad Mandalkar for his man of the match performance leading from the front and guiding his team to victory.

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Chheda Nagar Fanatics faced a tough test when they faced Steadfast who looked on a different level in this game. They started the brightest of the two passing the ball with alot of confidence. As we have seen teams struggle near the box Steadfast SC looked to drive defenders away from the box  trying to bait them in order to create space in the middle. But Chheda Nagar stood firm as they soaked in all the pressure to clear ball denying any chance of scoring. The 1st goal of the game came in the 19th minute when number 8 George Lawrence scored a long ranger to put Steadfast SC ahead. A beautiful curling shot which deceived the keeper, bulging the net

Chheda Nagar although came out all guns blazing as they look to comeback from a goal down to establish a foot-hold in the game. And they looked a very contrasting side as compared to first half. They very nearly equalised when their striker Badri looked to have deceived the keeper in a clash but was fouled by the referee. That decision looked 50-50 as the goalkeeper looked well beaten. The pressure paid off 5 minutes from time when number 1 Kunal Rege rounded a lovely Chheda Nagar move bringing them right back in the match. From then on Chheda Nagar boys looked pumped up high on confidence to net the winner but just as this match is to be described, they conceded a goal at the other end in the final minute of normal time. A heartbreak for Chheda Nagar who had worked their socks off to get back into the game. Number 11 Krish Sharma headed home the winner. A calm and composed finished from just inside the box

There was hardly any time for an equaliser for Chheda Nagar Fanatics who played two contrasting half and very nearly snatched a win at the end only to concede at the other side. Steadfast SC will consider it a narrow win obviously as they looked to drop all three points at the very end turning into a winning performance.

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St Paul’s SC came into this game requiring a win as they needed to win both their remaining games in order to stand a chance to qualify in Group C which pretty much is the group of death. With Sea View’s win over Rhema taking them to 15 points all eyes were on this game as a win for Carmelites would take them into the playoffs whereas a win for St Paul’s would take them top of the table and within touching distance of the playoffs

It did not go as plan for St Paul’s SC as they concceded in the 22nd minute when number 11 Faiz Khan pounced on the St Paul’s keeper’s mistake to put Carmelites FC in front. The on rushing keeper failed to clear the ball presenting the chance on a plate for the Carmelites man putting them into the lead. St Paul’s seemed wasteful in front of goal. The major concern was lack of commitment from the players who never showed signs of getting back into the game. Carmelites went into the halftime break leading 1-0.

The second half would be a make or break for the St Paul’s season as they looked to make a comeback. The whole team played up the field looking to score that much important equaliser. All they lacked was sharpness around the box. As Carmelites were able to clear the ball. Very nearly midway through the second half St Paul’s had a golden opportunity to equalise when a lovely cross from the left was failed to be converted. It was begging to be converted into a goal. And as they surged forward Carmelites started a counter attack of their own. A very casual approach from the St Paul’s keeper gave them a second goal in the 71st minute which almost put the game to bed. Number 7 Arif Qureshi netted the second as St Paul’s saw themselves 2-0 down with a hugh mountain to climb.

When it looked like they would make it 1-2, Carmelites built another attack and the panicky St Paul’s keeper Girish conceded a penalty. Although Carmelites did not convert that but it showed the lack of various factors St Paul’s lacked today.

At Fulltime it was all smiles for Carmelites FC who marched into the playoffs with a 2-0 win showing alot of commitment and character to get the job done. St Paul’s chances of qualifying are slim and dependant on other results to go in their favour.

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Sea View side were riding high on confidence beat Naval Dockyard by 8-1 in their previous game whereas Rhema looked to put a 2-0 defeat to Century Rayon behind them

Rhema SF faced the in form Sea View side and knew that any complacency would prove costly. Sea View were banking on their star striker Spencer Johnson to run the show as he looked to build on his hattrick in the previous game.

It was Rhema SF who were maintaining a proper shape as they thwarted most of Sea View attacks near the box and cleared their lines. A pragmatic approach since the 1st minute saw Sea View with majority of the possession. At times Johnson had to track back in order to retrieve possession for his sides.

Sea View side got host of opportunities to go in front but their forward line was in a wasteful mood. Their left winger missing a chance to strike home from a cross coming in from the right. Spencer Johnson shot went over the crossbar as they very nearly went ahead.  Rhema capitalised on this and from an attack down the right went ahead. Melroy collected the ball on the right side of the box before taking a shot a goal. The keeper could not judge  the flight of the ball and it went inside to give them the lead. Sea View could have very nearly equalised at the other end when a lovely cross near the six yard area saw Spencer Johnson miss a tap in. It was a chance laid on the plate begging to be converted. Rhema SF went into the break leading 1-0.

As seen in the previous games Rhema SF have let their lead slip and allowed their opponents to control the game in the 2nd half. This game was no different. Sea View played like a team wanting to dismantle their opponents.The equaliser came  in the 50th minute when Spencer Johnson pounced on a loose ball which the Rhema keeper failed to clear off the freekick to slot it home making it 1-1. In a matter of minutes they went ahead when Shrikant V scored from a freekick. The ball went straight into the top left corner as the keeper failed to judge the flight of the ball. Number 37 Agnelo Fernandes rounded off the scoring the third in the 70th minute giving Sea View all three points. They could have scored more than three. Agnelo missed a host of opportunities rattling one off the cross bar and missing a simple tap in.

For Rhema SF it is a worrying concern as they are failing to hold onto the leads they take. Whereas for Sea View their star man Spencer Johnson seems to be leading the line well as their winning form continues.

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Naval Dockyard came into this game after a 7-1 thumping by Sea View and looked to put it all behind them against a confident Miners side.

Well it was Miners who set the dice rolling as they created a host of opportunities to go ahead but failed to covert those chances. Naval Dockyard were living on the edge of the area as Miners looked to score the opener. In the 24th minute, number 9 Jayesh Kadam put them in front after a lovely move from the left was converted. And it could have been more worse for the Naval boys when number 8 Ashish Dayal rounded off  the keeper only to have a narrow angle and run out of ideas hitting his shot at the keeper. A glorious chance to make it 2-0

And it was very nearly the second goal when a lovely weighted lobbed ball into the path of number 9 Jayesh Kadam was miss hit over the crossbar. That would have been a spectacular volley had he managed to keep it down. Miners deservedly went into half time with a goal in front.

The second half saw Miners quickly double their lead just two minutes in, when number 9 Jayesh Kadam netted the rebound of the Dockyard keeper who did extremely well to keep the first shot out. A goal that gave them a breather as it looked like they would go on to score more. Many of the counter attacks saw their wingers flagged offside.

A moment of controversy yet again in an MDFA game when the referee looked to have made a mistake giving the foul against Miners when it was the Miners’ player who was fouled. This led to exchange of words between the referee and number 9 Jude who was a substitute standing at the touch line. A series of exchanges saw the referee give him a yellow card and almost threatned to stop the game if the player did not leave for the stands. After the MDFA officials intervened the matter was solved and the play was allowed to go on.

The incident seem to have taken  the sting out of the game. But Miners kept playing their game trying to construct attacks down the left. They were unlucky not to score more. In the end Naval Dockyard succumbed to yet another defeat as Miners crossed the finish line with ease.

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Dadar XI came into this match against DK Pharma knowing a win would help them qualify for the play-offs. Riding high on their win from the previous game.

Dadar boys were very quick to go in search of a goal from the very first minute. And they found the target in 7th minute when Mohan Bhandari netted giving them the lead. As the game progressed the game became even as DK Pharma looked for their equaliser that would put them back into the game. Number 14 Bhushan Patil made a run down the left cutting the right back before taking a right footed shot. The shot was on target and the Dadar keeper got a hand to it sending it out for a corner.

Another opportunity came few minutes later when Number 11 Tanuj Rathod did extremely well to beat the offside trap from the freekick before heading the ball wide of the left post. A very good chance to make it 1-1 that went begging. Number 14 Bhushan had a series of chances two of them coming very close to the end of the half. He did very well to beat his marker going down the right before dragging a cross which was saved by the keeper. The second glorious chance came moments later when a cross from the right back was headed goalwards only for the keeper to save it on the line. Dadar XI lead 1-0 at halftime but DK Pharma offered a fight going into haltime.

In the second half Dadar remained very organised keeping their defensive shape inviting pressure only to start a host of counter attacks. And one of them lead to the freekick which doubled their lead. Mohan Bhandari timed his run very well before taking a shot at goal into the right bottom corner. A much needed two goal cushion in the 79th minute. Any attempts from DK Pharma to get back into the game were thwarted by an astute Dadar XI defense.

The win means Dadar XI qualify for the MDFA First division playoffs in style. Mohan Bhandari could have scored a hattrick only for his runs to let him down as he was flagged offside many times. But nevertheless a complete team performance in a match they needed to win to qualify.

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HDFC and Atlanta SC  were up against each other in the First Division group B match. A Crucial game for Atlanta who needed the win to keep their hopes alive for qualifying the play offs whereas HDFC were in a much better position winning two out of their last three games. Neither team could afford another defeat.

Atlanta SC  had suffered a 2-0 defeat in their previous game against Rhinos while HDFC were given a walk over after their opponents could not make it on time. Both teams opted for a 4-3-3 formation with HDFC at time playing 4-2-4.

HDFC created a lot of chances to go in front but failed to capitalise. Their host of chances included a freekick from number 17 Rishi Pillai which was saved by the Atlanta keeper. Another lung bursting run down the right from Rishi could have been a goal only for him to fire over the top. Atlanta hardly could create any real chance for scoring as the score remained goal less at half time.

HDFC were favourites to score the opening goal of the game taking into account the possession they kept and the game they played. And very nearly took the lead when number 16 Nigel D’Souza hit the crossbar only for the ball to comeback of it. That would have gone inside 9/10 times on any other day. The breakthrough came in the 57^th minute when a cross down the right hand side was netted by number 16 Nigel D’Souza giving HDFC the lead. HDFC went on an attacking spree as every move forward lead to a shot on goal. They managed to double their lead in the 68^th minute when number 11 Siddhanth Puthran crossed from the right for number 21 Jayesh Naik to tap in the ball past the goalkeeper.

Atlanta SC failed to have any shots on target. It was all HDFC throughout the match as Atlanta succumbed to yet another defeat.

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In what looked like a match that was going Dhobitalao Boys’ way was pegged back to 1-1 which later could have won by Desperados if not for their few misses. Both teams did not dominate each other for a long period of the game.

The game was deadlocked at 50%-50% each during the course of the game. Both teams started good. The tempo of the game was like a roller coaster. High sometimes, sometimes dipping. But neither team could capitalise on their chances to go in front.

The best chance of the game for Dhobitalao boys came in the 24th  minute of the first half when a shoot taken by number 8 Sanju Pawar hit the crossbar. That was a glorious chance and would have given them a well deserved lead. Although that was the only good chance for Dhobitalao Boys in the first half. Desperados had their best moment of the game just 7 minutes later. When in the 31st minute a 40 yard shot from number 15 Chinamay Meher hit the post. Both teams so close to grabbing the lead. At half time the teams went in at 0-0.

The second half was the deciding one. Dhobitalao threw bodies forward and created some panic in Desperados defense. And they finally got the break through in the 2nd minute of the second-half. A lovely ball over the top was complemented with a well-timed run from number 24 Vaibhav Ghadge was headed in. The keeper could only see the ball going over the top and into the back of the net giving Dhobitalao Boys the lead.

Although they were unable to hang on with that lead when a Desperados freekick down the right flank was lobbed into the box only for defender , number 12 Abhishek Mishra to steer it into his own net. An own goal that cancelled their lead and brought the game to a level.

Both teams then struggled to find the winner. Desperados tried to ride their lucck after getting that own goal but could not take it. Whereas Dhobitalao Boys would be happy to keep the score at 1-1 after they almost lost the game after giving away the own goal. Both teams shared the point as they look to build up on their good  MDFA season.

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IDBI had a counter attacking approach all throughout the game as it paid dividend in the end giving them the win. They were very compact in defense and very quick to start a counter after intercepting the opposition. They started the better of the two teams and were into the lead  in the 6th minute itself when number 14 Vishal Bari put them in front. YMCA looked to equalise but failed to deliver the final balls to their forward line. As mentioned earlier IDBI were resolute in defense clearing every ball that could potentially turn out to be a goal scoring one. At half time there was only one shot on target which came from IDBI resulting in their goal.

YMCA looked to have improved in the second half keeping the ball better compared to the first half. An  injury break for IDBI defender Jayendra Meher left IDBI a man short at the back. YMCA  were quick to capitalise as a string of beautiful passes saw them in the six yard box with the centre forward holding the ball only for number 14 Yasar Ansari to shoot and equalise.A lovely move complemented by a composed finish. After YMCA equalised they became bit more adventurous. and played very high up the pitch.

IDBI took complete advantage of this intercepting an attack. This meant that their right winger was through who made a good run down the right. His cross was deflected and it felt calmly for number 9 Dheeraj Tandel who took all the time to place it well in the top right corner. 72 minutes into the game and IDBI led 2-1. To be fair they could have scored more from the counter attacks they started.

YMCA looked to equalise again but to no avail IDBI stood firm and kept the ball well up the pitch to register an important win for themselves. YMCA on the other hand would be kicking themselves for becoming too adventurous towards the end of the second half.

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