Mumbai F.C were the fancied teams of the duo as they played on their home patch. But the odds were heavily upset in the 18th minute when Mumbai FC goalkeeper fouled Kenkre’s Abuzer Beg in the box, resulting in a penalty for the visitors and a red card for the Mumbai FC shot stopper.

Kenkre’s Yash Mhatre stepped up and converted the penalty in the bottom corner, leaving Mumbai FC with an uphill task. The eleven men of Kenkre SC had grown in confidence as Yash Mhatre nearly got his second after a great bit of one-two with midfielder Rhishikesh Shinde in the 21st minute.

Three minutes later, it was Mumbai FC’s turn to test the Kenkre goalkeeper as Nachiket Palav headed straight to the Kenkre goalkeeper after making a late run to get on the end of a Prince Anandraj free kick.

The chance seemed to have restored Mumbai FC’s lost confidence, as their ten men began to threaten the Kenkre goal, initially forcing a save from Adil Sameja from Rahul Raj’s effort in the 27th minute and then forcing an error from the Kenkre goalkeeper who scuffed his clearance as Rahul Raj nearly profited again six minutes later.

There was no evidence of numerical deficit as Mumbai FC nearly restored parity two minutes later, when Nachiket Palav’s run was brilliantly picked out and he raced into the box from the right flank to cut back for Rahul Raj to finish but he blew his shot over. Poor miss from the Mumbai FC striker.

Mumbai FC were desperate for an equalizer before half time as they put a lot of pressure on the Kenkre goal with a good spell of possession in the dying minutes of the first half. They nearly profited two minutes into when Janaminlen Khongsai nicely controlled a long ball and turned, only to see his effort go just wide.

Kenkre S.C hung on to the lead as the referee blew for half time. Kenkre’s numerical advantage was barely visible as they were struggling to cope with Mumbai FC’s attacks. Despite being a goal down, it would be Abdul Siddhique who would be happier of the two managers.

Mumbai FC carried on from where the left in the first half exploiting the space behind the high backline of Kenkre SC. Kenkre were playing a dangerous game as they allowed the Mumbai FC midfield a lot of time and space to pick out the goal bound forwards.

In the 53rd minute, Mumbai FC’s Suraj Negi hit the side netting after being played in on goal. The chances were coming thick and fast for hosts and they needed to make one count.

Kenkre SC made their first real opening of the second half at the hour mark as striker Yash Mhatre did well to drag the Mumbai FC center back wide and picking out Atif Shaikh who ran into the space vacated by the center back, but the Adil Sameja sniffed the danger as he was swiftly out of the line to block Atif Shaikh’s effort.

Mumbai FC continued to dominate the proceedings but failed to make a break through, as frustration was beginning to set in with a few sloppy passes from the Mumbai FC midfield. Mumbai FC manager sensed that and threw Prathamesh Rokade in the mix in the 70th minute with a view to freshen things up.

Kenkre SC responded with a substitution of their own as manager Oscar Alva replaced Sekhar Bhattacharya with Rinaldo Fernandes. Nachiket Palav was involved again as he twisted and turned to create space for a shot which was blocked by the Kenkre defence in the 77th minute.

A minute later, there were appeals for a handball from Mumbai FC when a header seemed to strike a Kenkre defender’s hand. The appeal was more out of desperation than anything and the referee rightly brushed it off.

Mumbai FC won a free kick in a promising position in the 82nd minute which was taken by Prince Anandraj who forced a brilliant save from Adil Sameja as he tipped over a curling effort from Mumbai FC’s No.8.

It was the last roll of the dice from Mumbai FC when they threw Rakesh Karmarkar on in the 87th minute in place of Rahul Raj. A minute later, Janaminlen Khongsai nearly went past a wall of Kenkre SC defenders as he failed to go past the last one.

Mumbai FC threw the kitchen sink at Kenkre SC as the referee signaled for five stoppage time minutes. Prince Anandraj and Janaminlen Khongsai put their efforts wide as Kenkre SC held on for a famous victory which set them rolling in this season’s U-19 I-League.

Mumbai FC on the other hand, need to pick themselves up after this reverse as they face the League Leaders DSK Shivajians next in the Maharshtra Zone of the U-19 I-League.

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Mumbai: The Maharashtra Zone u19 I-League kicks off on 13^th December with Pune FC playing hosts to Mumbai FC at PFC Ground, Mamurdi (Pune). Pune and Mumbai finished 2^nd and 3^rd respectively last season.

Mumbai will definitely look to improve upon it’s position and fulfil the Junior team Head Coach Abdul Siddique’s vision, “The team has been combining well in training and the practice matches. My vision is clear. I want the youngsters to develop under me and play for the senior squad in the future. The u19 I-League provided the boys much needed exposure last season. It’s a welcome opportunity to be playing again.”

He added, “We hope to improve our performances too. The further we go the more exposure the youngsters get. We are looking forward to the tournament.”

The Mumbai u19 played three practice matches prior to the tournament. Two of them were against IIT Powai which the won 3-1 & 4-0. The third was against the Mumbai Warriors u19 who were also beaten 4-0.

Prior to these practice games, Head Coach Siddique tested his u19 squad in the Nadkarni Cup where the team was beaten 4-0 by Mumbai Customs.

Mumbai FC boasts of many academy graduates in it’s senior team in the form of John Coutinho, Ashutosh Mehta, Rohit Mirza etc.

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Mumbai FC will field their under-19 squad for the MDFA Nadkarni Cup today against Mumbai Customs at the RCF Ground, Chembur.

The youngsters have been handed a tough task as the Customs team have been playing some good football recently and find themselves at second place in the MDFA Elite Division. Mumbai FC youth coach Abdul Siddique opined, “The boys have been training hard the past few weeks and I expect them to play well in this tournament. They have the potential to do well. The only thing they need to do is trust their ability and instinct and be confident to face any situation coming their way.”

The under-19 squad were part of the u19 I-League last year in which they finished 3^rd in their group below AIFF Navi Mumbai Academy and Pune FC. The team also participates in the MDFA Super Division.

In the past Mumbai have won the Nadkarni Cup twice, first in 2010 and then again in 2011. Abdul Siddique and his boys will be aiming to go as far as possible in the tournament.

Winners of this tie will play the winners of the game between GM Sports vs. MS Police.

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