As proceedings at the end of regulatory time ended in 2-2, the game and the tournament were won by Mumbai Rush Soccer by the narrowest of margins – 5-4 on penalties.

Mumbai Rush Soccer came into the finals on the back of a hard fought and a nail-biting semifinal win over Bharat F.C. by 1-0; Joyson Chettiar’s strike was enough to separate the two teams at the full-time whistle.

Meanwhile, Our Lady of Fatima had a similar fortune, as they got past Bombay F.C. 1-0 courtesy of Mooen Shaikh’s goal.

Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush Soccer opened the scoring through their brilliant player Tyson Patel in the 18th minute of the match, to put his side in the driving seat in the final.

But the enthusiasm and joy were cut short when Kevin D’Souza levelled matters two minutes later in the 20th minute for Our Lady of Fatima.

As the first-half reached its final five minutes, Tyson Patel found time and space to guide home the second goal in the 26th minute.

The commencement of the second half saw a more composed and poised look at the proceedings. Without any goal-bound action for 20 minutes, Bhupati Chandra’s goal in the 50th minute levelled matters for Our Lady of Fatima later on in the second half. A scoreline of 2-2 meant the match headed into a penalty shootout at the full-time whistle.

In a tense and nervy finale, Mumbai Rush Soccer and Our Lady of Fatima were already on the edge with every move made; and a penalty shootout added to the intensity on the day.

As the winning penalty went past the Our Lady of Fatima’s goalkeeper, Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush Soccer cheered in joy as if the festive season now had an all new and satisfying reason for a celebration at long last.

After some excited round of matches, Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush Soccer were crowned the champions of the inaugural MDFA under-16 Youth Challenge 2016.

Click here for the photo gallery of the finale!

Also, click here for the photo gallery of the third place!

The post Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush Soccer crowned champions of MDFA U16 Youth Challenge 2016 appeared first on Football Counter.

The previously organised Grassroot Football Festival at Santacruz and Chembur gained positive feedback from the players and as well as from the parents. This inspired Mumbai Rush SC to continue the festival in other regions which could help them lure more young talents across the City.

The festival will be a one-day event which is initiated to introduce as many boys and girls as possible to football through various activities without distinction of ethnic origin, religion, social background, or football skills.

The children will be taught basic skills and small-sided games which will give all the participants the opportunity to get involved in playing football.

The Grassroot Festival is scheduled on 26th November 2016 from 6pm to 8pm at Dr Antonio Da’Silva High School Turf, Dadar (W). Whereas, the second Grassroot camp is scheduled on 27th November 2016 from 10am to 12am at C.P Goenka High School Turf, Thane.

To register, message your – Full Name, Date of Birth and Venue on 8879650983 / 9967490648.

The post Mumbai Rush SC to conduct free Grassroot festival in Dadar & Thane appeared first on Football Counter.

Being affiliated with AIFF (All India Football Federation), MDFA (Mumbai District Football Association) and WIFA (Western Indian Football Association), MRSC’s mission is to develop players who can reach success in the game of football, and to represent India internationally.

They have been providing necessary infrastructure, professional cultures that have produced success in Europe and in the US where have organized youth development leagues for players aged between 7 and 18.

Among the players MRSC has produced, Sacred Heart Boys High School’s player Ridge D’Mello and former student of St. Xavier’s College – Siddesh Iyer has already made India proud after their immense contribution in sports.

Ridge D’Mello – Ever since joining the academy in 2012, Ridge has won the scholarship for being the best player at Mumbai Rush Champions league’12 and is training under scholarship at Mumbai Rush Soccer Club, since 2012. His prolific performance in the league and consistency has made him a huge prospect.

Ridge has represented Sacred Heart Boys High School (Santacruz) at MSSA (Mumbai School Sports Association) and also captained Mumbai and Maharashtra in the recently concluded Sub Juniors tournament. He was also Mumbai’s top scorer in Inter-District Sub Juniors Championship and led his side all the way to the final, where they lost out to Pune in the penalties.

In a recently concluded AFC U14 Football Festival 2016 in Tajikistan, Ridge proudly represented India.

Since MRSC’s inception, whose initiative has unearthed and provided scholarship to talented players like Hamza, who has been training and playing in USA, Shane who has just recently received a 15 days international training trip, Cornelius who was the captain of the Mumbai team and partnered Ridge in the Maharashtra Sub Junior, the future seems bright.

Siddesh Iyer – Siddesh, an ex-Geology student of St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai has represented Mumbai Rush in the 3^rd division of Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA).

Siddesh has been trained under Mumbai Rush International coaches in India and as well as in USA.

He was unfortunate to get involved in a string of football related injuries which saw his hand fractured and a ligament tear forced the highly motivated player to quit football. But the never say die attitude of a passionate sportsman led him to quit Geology to purse Sports Management in United Kingdom (UK).

Siddesh has been recently awarded the half colour for his outstanding voluntary contribution to Northumbria University in Sports during 2015-16. Siddesh has stepped up and performed whenever it mattered, such massive passion about the beautiful game has made him a mature player.

This is just the start of Mumbai Rush Soccer Club, in the coming years there will be definitely huge number of prospects in India to watch out for. Such initiative must be carried out by other clubs too in India, this will not only help the young players to develop, but it will also promote grassroots programmes.

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