The development comes after the BMC General Body recently approved a proposal to change the 8,450-square-metre plot’s reservation from a playground to an exhibition and convention centre. The decision had faced strong opposition from Mumbai’s football fraternity, residents and activists, who argued that the ground is an important part of the city’s sporting ecosystem.

The Mumbai Football Association (MFA) had approached the High Court challenging the proposed change, arguing that losing the venue would seriously affect football in the city. The association has highlighted the ground’s importance for organised football, with the facility hosting hundreds of clubs, youth players and competitions every year.

The controversy intensified after the BMC approved the reservation change despite an earlier assurance given before the High Court that no decision would be taken before the matter was heard. The court expressed concern over the handling of that undertaking and has now ordered the civic body to keep further action on the proposal on hold.

The BMC, meanwhile, has maintained that the proposal originated from MHADA, which pointed to the site’s original planning history. According to civic officials, the land was earmarked for a convention complex under the Bandra Reclamation layout approved in 1983, although it was subsequently marked as a playground and has been used extensively for football.

The proposed conversion has also attracted political opposition, with representatives from Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) calling for the ground to remain dedicated to sports and recreation. Footballers, residents and supporters have also held protests urging authorities to preserve the facility.

For Mumbai’s football community, the High Court’s intervention provides temporary relief in a battle that has become much bigger than one football ground. Neville D’Souza Ground has long served as an important playing and development space for footballers across the city, and its future has now become a key issue in the wider debate over protecting Mumbai’s shrinking sporting and open spaces.

The matter will continue before the Bombay High Court, with the court having directed that no further steps be taken regarding the proposed reservation change until further orders.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post Bombay HC Puts Hold on BMC’s Move to Change Neville D’Souza Ground Reservation appeared first on Football Counter.

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

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.

The post Super Division: Chheda Nagar pull off houdini act in ten-goal thriller! appeared first on Football Counter.

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

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.

The post Super Division: Pune City hits six in Payyade demolition! appeared first on Football Counter.

Prabhakar Shanmugam’s 12th minute strike coupled with Sachin Narsappa and Aaron Machado’s goals in the 54th and 55th minutes helped RBI close off their league engagements on a positive note.

Chetan Jagnade and Nehal Desane did reduce arrears for Soccer XI with goals in the 56th and 69th minutes respectively but it was a bit too much for them in the end.

RBI’s main man Rolfred Coutinho didn’t play thanks to a suspension but they still did enough to close out the game within the hour mark. Shanmugam cleverly broke past the off side trap before slotting it past the on rushing goalkeeper while Narsappa’s goal was a textbook header off a corner.

Machado later slammed home an unstoppable shot to put the game beyond Soccer XI’s reach. It was game over within the hour mark and RBI was cruising home with the three points! But there was more drama as Jagdane and Desane sparked off a mini revival for Soccer XI.

If Jagdane’s effort was a classic smash and grab them Desane ran all of 30 yards from the left wing and slammed home to reduce the deficit. The score was 3-2 and Soccer XI suddenly raised visions of a comeback!

But all those efforts went to waste when Sachin Shrivastav was given his marching orders in the 85th minute which effectively ended any hope of salvaging at least a draw. A man down and with only five minutes to go…it was curtains for Soccer XI! They did have a few chances in the end but RBI held firm to close out the game at 3-2.

If it weren’t for that sending off Soccer XI still would’ve had a fair chance to salvage a point. It was a classic case of what may have been for Soccer XI in the end! RBI’s experience helped them clinch the three points despite missing their talisman skipper.

Soccer XI on the other hand looked jaded and out of ideas and never were really in the game prior to their second half goal burst.

Also Read: Seventh heaven for Kenkre in PIFA demolition

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

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.

The post Elite Division: RBI withstand late assault to see off ten-man Soccer XI appeared first on Football Counter.

Though Kaiwalya Tare opened the scoring for PIFA it soon faded into oblivion in wake of the goal rush that was to follow from Kenkre.

Siddharth Colaco’s goal in the 15th minute triggered off PIFA’s collapse as Rohan Shukla and Shaun Fernandes hit home in the 39th and 45th minutes respectively and ensured that Kenkre went 3-1 up at the break.

Next up was the Bhavnani show as he slammed in goals in the 58th, 64th and 74th minutes respectively to cap off a wonderful solo effort.

Not to forget Lester Fernandez’s 73rd minute strike which was sandwiched in between!

PIFA had clearly run out of gas (and ideas!) and was clueless throughout the second half.

They looked like a team shorn of ideas and couldn’t finish off the half decent efforts presented to them in front of goal.

It was that lack of killer instinct which proved to be their undoing in the end. They couldn’t be blamed for wishing for a brilliant effort like Bhavnani’s which could have at least reduced the margin of defeat!

They tried to function as a well drilled unit but all of it was laid to waste thanks to pure individual brilliance from Bhavani.

His hat trick was undoubtedly the highlight in a game which entertained all and sundry from start to finish.

The post Elite Division: Seventh heaven for Kenkre in PIFA demolition appeared first on Football Counter.

A second half brace by Roger Sam coupled with a 26th minute goal from Sanchit Singh was the cornerstone for the win.

Aman Gaikwad did pull one back for CFCI in the 61st minute but it proved to be a mere consolation in the end.

Though CFCI had started off well it was KSA who drew first blood as Singh hit home off Nascimentos’ assist. It surely made up for him missing a gilt-edged chance just a few minutes back!

It was soon 2-0 in the 48th minute as Roger headed in off a superb free kick off former India veteran Steven Dias from the right flank.

That goal was enough proof that experience is surely an asset for any team!

Also, Joe Paul was superb under the bar for KSA as he pulled off a string of fantastic saves to keep CFCI at bay.

The first half ended 2-0 to KSA and though Gaikwad did reduce the deficit later on still there was absolutely no doubt as to which team was going home with the honors.

CFCI battled hard but they were up against an hardened outfit whose defending resembled a brick wall at times!

The quartet of Nascimento, Dias, Paul and Sam rose to the occasion and delivered when it mattered the most.

Of course, Sam’s goal in the 90th minute was the icing on the cake as he hit home off a rebound and finished things off.

CFCI did have their moments though. Pratik Koli’s near goal miss from the right in the 74th minute proved that they did have the ammunition to threaten and score against the more experienced teams.

They also defended well for most part of the game and ensured that the margin of defeat was only 3-1.

They surely can take heart from this performance and use it as a springboard for the future.

A battling performance against a team chock-a-bloc with hardened veterans can be a catalyst for greater things to come!

The post Elite Division: Old guard to the fore as KSA see off CFCI appeared first on Football Counter.

The first half was an even battle as both teams fought it out and did not spare an inch. As the mercury rose, both teams slugged it out and tried to find gaps in either defence. Given the way things unfolded in the first half fans may have been forgiven for thinking that the game was headed for a stalemate!

Akshay Saptoji was superb for Central Bank at the back. His game was an education for any aspiring defender!

Piyush Koli was instrumental in setting up most of Dena Banks’ attacks. Just when the game was meandering towards a goalless draw in popped Ansari who scored off an opportunistic header from a corner in the 72nd minute.

That goal was the much needed oxygen for Dena Bank who grew in confidence and piled on the pressure. They struck again through Mascrenhas in the 88th minute to effectively shut out Central Bank from the contest.

It was a moment of magic from Ansari which opened the floodgates for Dena Bank as he ghosted past his marker to hit home the decisive goal. Central Bank’s citadel had been breached and they suddenly looked jittery!

It resulted in another goal as their back line crumbled and gave Mascrenhas enough space to hammer home the final nail in the coffin. The 2-0 scoreline surely doesn’t reflect as to how hard Dena Bank had to struggle to pick up the three points! If it weren’t for Ansari’s goal the game surely was headed to a goalless draw!

Central Bank can take consolation from the fact that they made their opponents slog for the entirety of the game.

A pity that they couldn’t replicate their well drilled defensive performance in attack as well!

Also Read: Soccer XI defuses depleted Sebastian

Also Read: When life came full circle for Pereira at Tilak Maidan!

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.

The post Elite Division: Dena Bank strike late to breach Central Bank citadel appeared first on Football Counter.

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

The post Super Division: Soccer XI defuses depleted Sebastian appeared first on Football Counter.

Sebastian Raj scored a 62nd minute penalty to seal the deal for Intelenet.

The game was a dour affair as both teams slugged it out in the afternoon heat.

Froes’ display under the bar was the highlight. The custodian was a rock between the posts and frustrated Kenkre U-19.

Of course, barring a few good chances both teams had nothing to show of in terms of entertainment value.

The game was a typical slugfest with tackles flying in by the dozen.

Fans witnessed numerous shots flying over the bar which kept the ball boys busy throughout the game!

Kenkre U-19 did have their fair share of chances in front of goal but a lack of killer instinct proved to be their undoing in the end.

Intelenet on the other hand can count themselves lucky thanks to Kenkre U-19’s profilgacy in front of goal.

Though Raj’s penalty did give them the three points but the main architects of the win were Froes and their defenders.

On the other hand, it was a classic case of what may have been for Kenkre U-19!

Also Read: ONGC wins the bragging rights against Air India

Also Read: Sawant special rescues Sunday Boys!

The post Super Division: Froes stars as Intelenet shut out Kenkre U-19 appeared first on Football Counter.

Aryaman Sapre ran the show in midfield for West Zone and was a bundle of energy!

West Zone almost had a goal in the 25th minute when Sanket Goswami failed to connect to Sapre’s cross from the right. It was right inside the box and could’ve been a goal!

West Zone had the majority of possession in the first half with Sapre having had a couple of chances from long range.

The first half finished goalless with  West Zone unlucky not to have scored despite having a clutch of chances.

Come the second half and Krishna Patil hit a blaster from outside the box in the 47th minute which whizzed past the left post!

As West Zone piled on the pressure!…ICL ‘A’ was hanging on by the skin of their teeth!

They didn’t have much of the ball and struggled to make an impact throughout the game.

Karan Khanna eventually broke the deadlock for West Zone in the 55th minute with a superb goal. The floodgates had opened!

Advait Garde later made it 2-0 with an exquisite chip over the on rushing goalkeeper and ensured that West Zone was going home with the three points.

The post Super Division: West Zone edge out ICL ‘A’ in slug fest appeared first on Football Counter.