A total of eight teams have advanced to the playoffs from the group stages, divided into two groups. Group A features Waves FC, Charkop FC, Tarun Sporting, and Mumbai Soccer Prodigies, while Group B includes Brothers WA, ROQS-D’Souza FC, Mumbai Ultras, and Young Guns India.

Waves FC vs Charkop FC

The day’s first match was a rematch of Group A’s top two teams, Charkop FC and Waves FC. In their earlier meeting back in October, Charkop triumphed 4-2, with Mayur’s hat trick stealing the spotlight. However, this time, Waves FC turned the tables, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

The match remained goalless at halftime, with both sides defending effectively and creating few clear chances. The breakthrough finally came midway through the second half when Shubham Navelkar was fouled inside the box while attempting to dribble past the last line of defense. The youngster took on the responsibility himself, calmly converting the penalty by slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. Shubham’s cool finish not only secured the three points but also gave Waves FC a crucial edge in the playoffs.

Brothers WA vs. ROQS-D’Souza FC

In the second match, Brothers WA delivered a masterclass, dismantling ROQS-D’Souza FC with a commanding 5-1 win.

The onslaught began early, with Sahil Tambo breaking the deadlock after pouncing on a rebound from the goalkeeper’s save. A cross from the left flank was initially blocked, but Sahil reacted quickly to slot the ball into the bottom-left corner.

Brothers doubled their lead soon after through their talisman, Alymer Gonsalves. Shlok Pabale delivered a perfectly weighted through ball, and Alymer turned with precision before burying his shot into the far post, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. Just before halftime, Alymer struck again, showcasing his skill by weaving past two defenders inside the box and finishing into the same corner, making it 3-0 at the break.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Brothers WA asserting their dominance. Alymer turned provider this time, dribbling past his marker and even the goalkeeper before unselfishly setting up Shlok Pabale for an easy tap-in.

To cap off their dominant display, Dynamic Winger Sachin Bangera added a fifth goal with a composed finish. Sahil Tambo found a gap between the right-back and center-back, threading a perfectly timed pass for Sachin, who finished expertly with one touch into the bottom-right corner.

In the dying moments of the match, ROQS-D’Souza FC salvaged some pride with a stunning strike from the outside of the box. The left-footed effort went straight into the top-right corner, leaving the Brothers goalkeeper helpless. The match ended 5-1, with Brothers WA making a statement in their opening playoff fixture.

Upcoming Matches

The playoffs continue on January 17th at Neville D’Souza Ground, with Young Guns India facing Mumbai Ultras and Tarun Sporting taking on Mumbai Soccer Prodigies. Waves FC and Brothers WA will return to action on January 22nd.

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Weekend Fixtures:

CFCI secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Charkop FC with Paul Shaju scoring the winning goal in the 63rd minute. CFCI faces Oranje FC on September 11th, while Charkop FC takes on Waves FC on September 5th.

ROQS-DFA earned a hard-fought 1-0 win against Soccer Saga FC, despite being reduced to 10 men. Kenan Bhobe’s early goal in the 10th minute proved decisive. Soccer Saga will aim for a comeback against Anstrengung UTD on September 3rd, while ROQS-DFA faces Spartans FC on September 9th.

Match 1: Charkop FC 0-1 CFCI (63′ Paul Shaju)

Match 2: Soccer Saga FC 0-1 ROQS-DFA (10′ Kenan Bhobe)

Somaiya FC vs. Pillai Salsette FC

The clash between Somaiya FC and Pillai Salsette FC was a highly anticipated match, given both teams’ impressive past performances. Somaiya FC, who finished 5th overall in last season’s Mumbai Super League, fielded a younger, more dynamic squad this time, with only a few players retained from the previous season. In contrast, Pillai Salsette FC entered the match with the momentum of having been finalists in the Independence Day Cup 2024.

Somaiya FC started their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Pillai Salsette FC, thanks to a first-half injury-time goal by Mohd. Subhan Shaikh. Pillai Salsette FC dominated possession but couldn’t break through Somaiya’s defense.

Head Coach Vinod Chhatre of Somaiya FC praised his team’s dedication and preparation: “ Last season is behind us. We’ve worked hard in training, and the morale in the camp is incredibly high. The players are focused, and the commitment on and off the pitch is commendable. We are ready to take on the challenges of this season with renewed energy.”

Full Time: Salsette FC 0-1 Somaiya FC (45+2′ Mohd Subhan Shaikh)

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– Picture Credit – CFCI Media

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About Charkop FC: In the previous season of the MFA Super Division, amidst a challenging group, we stood strong and secured a commendable position. This journey was not just about results but also about growth and learning. Now, we’re ready to take our game to the next level and forge a path to success.

Trial Details: Our open trials kick off on the 3rd of June and are open to young enthusiasts eager to showcase their skills and passion for the game. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a rising talent, we invite you to be part of our journey.

Eligibility Criteria: To ensure a competitive selection process, we have set certain eligibility criteria:

• Cutoff: Born in or before 2008
• Experience in super division & above (Exception for players born in 2006, 2007 & 2008)

How to Apply: If you’re ready to seize this opportunity and shine on the field, simply send club a direct message on their instagram handle with the following details:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Previous Experience
• Position
• Contact Information

Stay Connected: Keep an eye on their social media channels and website for updates and further instructions.

Also Read: Mumbai 42 Football Academy to conduct trials for Youth players

Also Read: AIFF Futsal Club Championship will start from June 22

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In a commanding performance, Mumbai Strikers SC made a resounding statement with an 8-0 victory over ROQs FC. The game, which took place on Thursday, November, T 2nd, was nothing short of thrilling as Strikers displayed their prowess on the field.

The match kicked off with an early yellow card for Umang Mistry of ROQs FC in the 5th minute, setting the tone for what would be an intense encounter. The excitement unfolded with a remarkable hattrick by Strikers’ Ravish Dsouza, who netted goals in the 12th, 38th, and 67th minutes. Dsouza’s incredible performance was complemented by two assists, showcasing his multifaceted contributions to the team.

Strikers didn’t stop there, as Aditya Alkuntia found the back of the net in the 16th minute, further solidifying their dominance. Ankush Singh also left his mark on the game, scoring in the 20th and 81st minutes and providing two assists to his teammates. The goals kept coming for Strikers, with Nirbhay Patpatia contributing another in the 44th minute and Ishan Natekar in the 49th minute, who also provided an assist.

Armaan Shaikh played a crucial role as well, tallying two assists for the team. The synergy among Strikers’ players was evident, and their collective performance was truly exceptional.

Mumbai Strikers 8 – 0 ROQS FC

In the second match of the day, Tarun Sporting demonstrated their prowess by defeating United Villagers WA with a commanding 5-0 victory. This win catapulted Tarun Sporting to the top of the Group C table in the Mumbai Super League.

Tarun Sporting 5 – 0 United Villagers WA

November 3 , Friday Fixtures

Iron Born FC Emerges Victorious with a 6-1 Win Over Millat FC (B)

In a match filled with twists and turns, Iron Born FC secured a convincing 6-1 victory over Millat FC (B). The game, which took place on Thursday, November 2nd, showcased Iron Born’s resilience and determination on the field.

The early minutes of the game were action-packed, with Nasir Ansari of Iron Born FC scoring a goal in the 2nd minute. Millat FC (B) responded swiftly, with Aburazeen Patel finding the back of the net in the 7th minute.

Iron Born FC surged ahead in the 31st minute as Zarayus Anklesaria scored a pivotal goal. The first half concluded with Iron Born leading 2-1.

In a significant turn of events, Nasir Ansari from Iron Born was shown a red card, reducing the team to 10 players. Despite this setback, Iron Born FC maintained their composure.

Shudhanshu Solanki and Rakesh Rathod, representing Iron Born FC, further extended their lead, making it 4-1 in favor of their team. The game witnessed another red card, with Manish Rathod from Millat FC (B) also receiving his marching orders. Both teams were reduced to 10 players.

The substitutes for Iron Born FC made a significant impact in the latter part of the game. Prem Gandhi scored in the 80th minute, and Mazin Shaikh sealed the deal with a goal in the 90th minute, bringing the final score to 6-1 in favor of Iron Born FC.

This convincing victory propelled Iron Born FC to the top of the Group B table, signifying their strong position in the Mumbai Super League.

Iron Born 6 – 1 Millat FC (B)

In the second game of the day, India Rush SC and Kopana FC battled to a goalless draw. This closely contested match saw both teams putting in a determined effort, but neither was able to break the deadlock.

India Rush FC 0 – 0 Kopana FC

Also Read: Sreenidi make Inter Kashi crawl on Deccan plateau

Also Read: Reliance Foundation Young Champs Triumph in U15 Maharashtra State Youth League 2023-24

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Sebastian Almeida, Leisamba, Karthik Bele, and Sanus Rajan found the net for IoT FC, while Kishan Dubey scored a consolation goal for MSSC.

The game kicked off with MSSC controlling the early proceedings, creating a significant chance from a set-piece. Ravish D’souza’s inviting delivery into the box found Manav Dukhande, who headed toward goal, but IoT’s goalkeeper Vansh made a crucial save to keep the score at 0-0.

As the match progressed, India on Track gained momentum, with Karthik Bele nearly breaking the deadlock. He beat the offside trap before hooking the ball past the onrushing keeper. However, his effort was denied by the woodwork. Karthik continued to threaten, forcing a brilliant save from MSSC’s goalkeeper Shaheer Muhammed with a pinpoint free-kick.

The breakthrough for India on Track came when Sebastian Almeida headed home a pinpoint cross from Rajan in a corner situation, giving IoT the 1-0 lead. At halftime, IoT was forced to make a substitution in goal due to a concussion to their keeper.

The second half saw India on Track intensifying their attack. A penalty was awarded early in the half, expertly converted by Leisamba, extending the lead to 2-0. Moments later, Karthik Bele’s brilliant run on the wings resulted in him sliding the ball past the keeper, making it 3-0.

Despite Mumbai Strikers’ attempts to stage a comeback, they were wasteful in front of goal, missing opportunities from close range. IoT sealed the game with substitute Anurag PC setting up Rajan for the fourth goal, ending any hopes of a comeback.

In the dying moments, MSSC managed to bag a consolation goal when Kishan Dubey capitalized on a defensive lapse, converting a cross from the right wing to make it 4-1. IoT controlled the game afterward, securing their fourth consecutive victory.

The win keeps IoT FC’s winning streak alive, positioning them as a formidable force in the Mumbai Super League. The Mumbai Strikers will look to regroup and bounce back in the upcoming fixtures.

FT: India On Track 4 – 1 Mumbai Strikers SC

Other Results:

India Rush SC clinched a narrow victory against Mumbai Marines FC!

Anmol Pal’s Freekick was headed goalwards by Vishal, which ended into Mumbai Marines net as an own goal. At the other end, India Rush keeper Aman pulled off some incredible saves including a penalty to keep their side in lead and secure a win eventually.

FT: India Rush 1 – 0 Mumbai Marines

Friday, October 13th Results:

ICL Youngstar 3 – 1 Millat FC

Iron Born FC 3 – 2 Kopana FC-WC 

Check Super League standing here – Click

Also Read: India finish at the receiving end in Merdeka Cup semi-finals

Also Read: Mumbai Super League Week 7 Roundup: Mumbai City FC, Tarun Sporting & Young Guns FA Shine

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The MFA Mumbai Super League 2023 presents an impressive array of teams, each vying for glory in their respective groups A total of 37 teams will be divided into Groups A, B, and C and the league will commence from Aug 23^rd.

Venue: Neville D’Souza Football Turf, Bandra

Duration: 45 minutes per match with a 15-minute break

Also Read: Unveiling India’s futsal debut: A candid conversation with player Jayesh Sutar

Also Read: Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind

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They were 5-1 (yes, you read it right!) down till the 61st minute until they pulled off a great escape! Can it be counted in the pantheon of Barcelona’s epic 6-1 comeback against Paris Saint Germain? For this writer…it is surely a resounding YES! But before we head on to how they actually pulled off this miraculous comeback we need not forget that it was Reliance who had simply decimated them in every department for the first sixty minutes of the game.

A two-goal burst in the first thirty minutes had set Reliance’s youngsters on the way. They had simply out passed Chheda Nagar and had not given them a chance in hell of getting anything out of this contest. Though the opening ten minutes had seen chances created at both ends still the first two goals had ensured that Chheda Nagar was left dead and buried till the half time whistle.

The second half was even worse as two goals from Mustaque Laskar and Aayush Chikkara in the 52nd and 59th minutes respectively made it 4-0 and had all but secured a comfortable win for Reliance. Though Simarpreet pulled one back for Chheda Nagar in the 60th minute still Thoi Singh Houidrom’s 61st minute strike made all and sundry believe that Reliance was cruising home with consummate ease. 5-1 and it looked all over for Chheda Nagar.

Even die-hard fans couldn’t have fathomed as to what was to come next as Chheda Nagar did the unthinkable and hit four past the opposition to snatch a draw from the jaws of inevitable defeat.

Gaurav Adhikari and Shavez Surve were in the thick of things as the duo struck two goals each to leave Reliance in a tizzy! Adhikari and Surve scored in the 67th and 69th minutes respectively to make it 5-3. Was a comeback imminent? Yes. And was Reliance crumbling under pressure? Yes…again!

Those two goals seemed to have shook Reliance to their core as they fumbled and fidgeted in the wake of a late Chheda Nagar onslaught. As Chheda Nagar threw the kitchen sink in the last twenty minutes…Reliance was creaking and on the verge of a collapse! The first bit of their foundation (no pun intended!) fell off when Adhikari capitalized on a horrible goalkeeping error and slotted home in the 74th minute. 5-4…and Chheda Nagar was almost there!

The last ten minutes of the game was a nail-biter as Chheda Nagar launched wave after wave of attack in a bid to get that all-important fifth goal. There were ugly scenes as well when Surve felled the Reliance goalkeeper with a high boot as both players rushed for the ball inside the box. But it was soon to be forgotten as Surve slalomed past three defenders on the left flank and slammed in Chheda Nagar’s fifth goal in what was virtually the last kick of the game!

5-5…and the rest of Reliance’s ‘foundation’ had collapsed! And as the referee blew for the final whistle there was jubilant scenes in the Chheda Nagar camp for they had just pulled off one of the best comebacks in the league’s history. No one had given them even an iota of chance after receiving a mauling in the first half and it surely was a comeback of incredible proportions.

As for Reliance…it was a classic case of what might have been!

Also Read: Juhu set the tone for playoffs as they canter past Iron Born

Also Read: Seventh heaven for Kenkre in PIFA demolition

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Bawirousang Hrangmingtam and Laldawlkima Lalngaihawma grabbed a brace each as Pune City unleashed a goal blitz and played Payyade out of the park. Such was their dominance that Payyade was lucky only to lose 6-1!

It all began when Hrangmintham headed home from a free kick in the 13th minute to open the floodgates. Tihe rest of the game was all Pune City as they controlled possession and didn’t allow Payyade to settle into the game. Pune City bagged three more goals as Lalngaihawma scored in the 32nd and 41st minutes respectively with Akhil Rawat’s 36th minute goal sandwiched in between.

Lalngaihawma was in sublime form as he breached Payyade’s defence on a regular basis. The 4-0 scoreline at the end of the first half reflected Pune City’s dominance as they virtually ran riot! Asadul Khan — one half of Payyade’s fab four — did reduce the deficit in the 51st minute but by then it was too little too late.

Hrangmingtam and C. Johnson Singh hit home in the 74th and 80th minutes respectively to round off what was an impressive win for Pune City. The fact that it came against a team which looked unstoppable in the earlier league phase make it even more impressive!

It was simply a super six performance by Pune City’s youngsters as they played a team renowned for their technical prowess and attacking ability out of the park. A quick glimpse at Payyade’s form book in the league phase and you’d know as to how important this win is for Pune City. Apart from Khan’s goal they virtually had nothing to take in terms of positives.

Pune City has fired a warning shot to their future opponents with this demolition act and it would be interesting to see as to whether they can keep up the winning momentum for the remaining games of the playoffs.

Also Read: Juhu set the tone for playoffs as they canter past Iron Born

Also Read: Seventh heaven for Kenkre in PIFA demolition

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The Men in Yellow were at their clinical best as they struck when it mattered the most and waltzed home with the three points. The floodgates opened when Sachin Rawat put in an accurate ball from the left to Mahesh Kotkar as the latter hit home in the 17th minute. 1-0 and the goal proved to be a major confidence booster!

Iron Born surprisingly was ineffective in front of goal despite holding on to a chunk of possession in the first half. Was it nerves that got to them that they couldn’t finish off the half dozen chances in front of goal? Their profligacy came to haunt them as Juhu’s lynch pin Tyson Pereira latched on to a long ball and comprehensively beat off last man Shivanshu Rao before lobbing it past the goalkeeper in the 42nd minute.

Also, Rawat was a menace on the left flank as he carved open the CFCI defence numerous times. The best chance came on the stroke of the first half as he cut inside and beat two defenders only to hit the crossbar!  Though the first half finished 2-0 to Juhu still going by how things had panned out it looked only a matter of time before Juhu would hit the target. And it came in the 75th minute when Prathamesh Kamble dribbled past a defender on the right and slammed it past the onrushing goalkeeper in the 75th minute. 3-0 and it was game over for CFCI!

That goal totally deflated CFCI as they looked content to see out the rest of the game. And as the referee blew for the final whistle…Pereira and Juhu had set the tone for what may prove to be a thrilling set of playoff games. As for CFCI…they simply ran out of ammunition!

Also Read: Seventh heaven for Kenkre in PIFA demolition

Also Read: Old guard to the fore as KSA see off CFCI

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Sebastian sorely missed Alex Peters thanks to his sending off in the off side fracas against Iron Born in their last game. But they still took a two-goal lead thanks to Dalton Wilson’s twin strike in the 3rd and 12th minutes respectively.

Wilson was on fire as he had Soccer XI on the ropes with his quick silver dribbling. The Wilson bomb had exploded and had sent Soccer XI scurrying for cover! A fantastic start for a team having a numerical disadvantage!

Soccer XI had a glimmer of hope when Pravin Kawade reduced the deficit with a spot kick in the 23rd minute. But the joy was short lived as Dexter Peters slammed home a 31st minute goal to make it 3-1 for Sebastian.

Soccer XI looked dead and buried with seemingly no way out! Kawde converted another spot kick to make it 3-2 in the 33rd minute but then Soccer XI looked improbable of bouncing back as the referee blew the half time whistle.

Of course, Soccer XI proved everyone (including this writer!) wrong when Sachin Shrivastav and Elton Dawson scored in the 53rd and 57th minutes respectively to pull off a fantastic comeback.

Two goals in four minutes and the game had suddenly swung in Soccer XI’s favor! They had converted a two-goal deficit into a one-goal lead!

Sebastian tried hard to get an equalizer in the later stages but it was all but evident that the numerical disadvantage was clearly working against them.

Wilson’s early goal burst resembled a mirage as they fumbled around for answers! They sorely missed Peters who could’ve pulled off a rabbit from the hat to turn the game around!

Soccer XI defended stoutly to finish the game off at 4-3 and walk home with the three points. It was a total team effort which allowed Soccer XI to with stand a goal barrage and bounce back in style.

Sebastian had used the early goal bombardment strategy only for Soccer XI to successfully defuse it!

Also Read: Froes stars as Intelenet shut out Kenkre U-19

Also Read: ONGC wins the bragging rights against Air India

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