Both the sides headed towards the match on the back of a loss in their opening games. Century Rayon had suffered a narrow 3-2 loss at the hands of Mumbai Customs, whereas, Mumbai Strikers lost 8-1 in their match against the mighty Air India.

Rayon’s Thatcham Vaschi and Warschei Kaschung created numerous opportunities just like they did against Union Bank of India (UBI) in their opening clash. Both the attackers combined well to test Mumbai Strikers’ persistence. On the other end, Mumbai Strikers’ Ravish D’Souza and Akshay Devadiga tried to get behind Rayon’s defense to break the deadlock but only went on to slot their efforts wide.

Century Rayon stepped their game up in the second-half with their typical free-flowing attacking game. The hard-work finally paid off in the 75th minute when Warschei Kaschung scored a sublime goal to break the deadlock as the match was headed towards a stalemate.

Ten minutes later, Century Rayon doubled their lead through Ligin whose goal made Rayon stamped their ticket to all three points and register their first win of the Elite Division.

The post Two late goals helps Century Rayon see-off Mumbai Strikers appeared first on Football Counter.

One of Ravish’s goal was from the spot who was brilliant throughout the game, whereas, Sunny Kadam scored the lone goal for State Bank of India which was not enough for his side. Mumbai Strikers’ Melron Mascarenhas was sent-off for violently kicking Shailesh Poojary following a free-kick.

Ravish tormented State Bank of India’s backline for throughout the ninety minutes with his brilliant game reading, skills, and touches. The number 17 opened the scoring in the 8th minute through a penalty.

Sunny Kadam equalized just before half-time to level the scoreline from a brilliant ball by Sahil Chopra. In the dying stages of the match, Ravish scored from a brilliant free-kick to restore the parity for Mumbai Strikers.

State Bank of India didn’t come any closer to equalize as Mumbai Strikers ran out as winners. They dominated last season, and they are surely all geared up to emulate their last season’s performance. The only thing they missed out last season was a massive promotion to Elite Division, this season they can surely make their way with the current squad at the helm.

The post Ravish D’Souza scores brace to sink State Bank of India in Super Division appeared first on Football Counter.

One of the most anticipated matches in this year’s MDFA Super Division was Mumbai Strikers vs Air India U19. They locked horns in the semi final, battling for a place in the final. A win for Mumbai Strikers would promote them to the Elite Division but a win for Air India U19 could mean the end of the story for the Strikers who were in red hot form all throughout the season.

The match began in favor of the Strikers as Akshay Devadiga successfully converted a penalty in the seventh minute to give Mumbai Strikers an early advantage. The strikers then had to go defensive as Air India began a string of attacks leaving all 11 Strikers players to defend the lead. And with all the misses from Air India coupled with a resolute defensive performance Mumbai Strikers went into the break with a one goal lead.

Air India U19 came out all guns blazing in the second half. And with number 7  Amey Bhatkal leading the charge, they managed to equalise immediately just 5 minutes into the second half. A lovely one-two before calmly slotting home the finish. Air India U19 won a penalty in the 55th minute which was cooly converted by Jayesh Sahani completing the turn around. But there was more to come from the Cristiano Ronaldo of Air India U19 team Amey Bhatkal. He latched onto a brilliant cross from the right scoring his second goal making it 3-1 in the 62 minutes.  The enxt 15-18 minutes belonged to Mumbai Strikers

Mumbai Strikers did not give up. And could have got back into the game. But a magnificant performance from the Air India keeper kept them out. The strikers also missed a host of chances. 6-7 clear cut chances were spurned by them. That was a dent to their comeback. That did not stop Amey who cut past 4 players along the touchline before slotting home the ball completing his hattrick. A second half hattrick of the highest order that took Air India in the final of the MDFA Super Division play off. They will await the winner of the second semi final. M.S.Police and Dena Bank who play on Sunday on the Goans ground at 3pm.

The post Amey Bhatkal’s hattrick inspires Air India comeback against Mumbai Strikers in the Super Division semifinal appeared first on Football Counter.

After a topsy-turvy week, we have finally managed to reach the day where Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) semi finals will be played at Poinsur gymkhana, Kandivali.

Football Counter brings to you an exclusive round up article of all the results that took place over the week in the build up to the semi finals. All the 8 teams were divided in a group of 4 each with groups being called Group X and Group Y.

Group X consisted of M.S.Police , DECA, Mumbai Strikers and Millat FC whereas Group Y incorporated Air India U-19, Mumbai FC U-19, Dena Bank and Sellebrity SC

Day 1 of the playoff saw Group X in action. DECA taking on Mumbai Strikers and M.S.Police facing off against Millat FC. DECA manged to edge Mumbai Strikers by one goal to nil while M.S.Police beat Millate FC by 2-0

Day 2 had Group Y  matches. Sellebrity SC’s clash with Air India U19 and Dena Bank going head to head against Mumbai FC U19. Air India U19 beat Sellebrity SC by 2-0. Dena Bank were 3-1 victors over Mumabi FC U19.

Day3 : Group X

M.S.Police 2-0 DECA

Mumbai Strikers 3-0 Millat FC

Day 4: Group Y

Dena Bank 5-2 Sellebrity SC

Air India U19 2-1 Mumbai FC U19

Day 5: Group X decider

Mumbai Strikers faced M.S Police to determine the winner of group X. It was Mumbai Strikers who defeated  M.S.Police by 3-1 to top the group X qualifying for the semi finals.

Group 6: Group Y decider

Dena Bank and Air India U19 locked horns to determine the group winner of group Y. It was Dena Bank who managed to edge Air India U19 by 1-0 topping group Y.

There you go guys. A roller coaster of 6 days and it still does not end here as everyone of us is waiting for the winner to emerge

Semi final 1: Mumbai Strikers vs Air India U19

Semi final 2: Dena Bank vs M.S.Police

See you all at he Poinsur gymkhana ground for the all exciting semi final matches

The post Mumbai Striker’s date with Air India U19, M.S.Police face Dena Bank in the semi-finals of Super Division play-off appeared first on Football Counter.

In group X, Deca played hosts to Mumbai Strikers on Monday afternoon at Poinsur Football ground in the opening match of the playoffs-round in this season’s Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) Super Division.

The first-45 minutes of action between the two sides concluded in stalemate (0-0). Both defences held resolute and soaked the pressure exerted on to it throughout the half. But, the lack of a creative midfield or attacking outlet, or movement in the final-third area of the pitch from either side denied the attacking team from capitalizing on any half-chance presented.

A poor structure in the midfield-zone from the Deca as-well-as Mumbai Strikers meant neither side could take hold of the proceedings in a tight and nervy match-up, failing to create nil major goal-scoring opportunities.

While, hopelessly hitting or clearing long-balls towards surging strikers down the other end of the field remained a common site throughout the first-half. Although, Mumbai Strikers remained poised to score an opener sooner than their counterparts, Deca; recording a hatful of shots on goal, but straight towards Burzeen Cobla in-goal for Deca in the final 10 minutes of the first-half.

The opening chance of the second-half fell to Mumbai Strikers’ Ravish D’Souza, who having controlled the pass neatly, flashed his shot off-target; missing-out on converting from the best chance Mumbai Strikers had throughout the 90 minutes.

Set-pieces remained a common threat from both sides in the second-half. But, a repetition of mistakes from the first-half kept the scoreline at 0-0 with the final-15 minutes of the match remaining to unfold.

In the 82nd minute, Deca’s no.13 Joywin Nunes missed-out to convert from a similar range, where Ravish D’Souza missed on the opposite-end earlier in the second-half. The whole 90 minutes of football was a lackluster in terms of finding appropriate passes in the attacking areas of the field.

But, when Deca’s Mahesh Poojari picked the ball up on the left-flank near the opposition’s 18-yard-box, coming inside, the no.16 lashed a shot in the bottom left-corner past the trailing Mumbai Warriors goalkeeper to give his side and the match a much needed goal in the 89th minute.

The post Late drama in Deca vs. Mumbai Strikers; Mahesh Poojari secures an 89th minute winner for Deca appeared first on Football Counter.