The match was a fascinating one as both teams were successful in playing a beautiful passing game. We witnessed some slick movements in the first half as both teams had  50% possession. The end product is what lacks in such games which prevents it from becoming a high scoring one. PIFA Colaba had the best chance of the 1st half when a cross from the left which needed a touch could not be converted. It was Blitzkreig who made them pay taking the lead in the 23rd minute. When number 22 Francis Corneiro scored the goal giving his team the lead.

PIFA Colaba looked sharp towards the end moments of the first half as they maintained pressure on their opponents in search of a leveler. At half time Blitzkreig went in with a 1-0 lead.

PIFA Colaba came out with a renewed vigour as they looked to overturn the deficit. It looked difficult against this Blitzkreig side who was in no mood to let the lead slip. And they broke on the counter on for their left winger to take a wonderful shot at goal only to see it go behind for a goal kick. A shot which has power and precision but not the correct direction. But with 20 minutes remaining PIFA got their equaliser when number 15 Akshay Khadke controlled the ball efficiently at the edge of the box before volleying it past the keeper. One of the goals of the highest quality which brought them level. And they could have snatched a win when number 2 Soham’s precisely controlled shot of the corner hit the post and went out. Number 16 Saif Sheikh also came close to scoring but could not convert his chance.

PIFA Colaba U-19 had a man sent off in the final moments of the game. But that did not affect the result as both team had to settle for a single point. The teams must be given credit for playing some lovely football throughout the match as they entertained the crowd who was all praises in the end.

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The post Photo gallery: Somaiya Vidya Vihar vs PIFA Colaba U19 – MDFA 1st Division appeared first on Football Counter.

A single goal was enough for the Somaiya team as they managed to hold on to it until the full time whistle. Somaiya VidyaVihar were on the front foot from the kick-off and rounding off their attacking pressure was their midfielder number 8 Himesh Mistry with sensational half volley, over the top of the keeper and into the net giving them the lead in just 21 seconds.

After taking the lead, Somaiya VidyaVihar had a host of chances to make it 2-0 only for PIFA Colaba goal keeper to make a string of saves keeping them in the game. The best chance came in the 10^th minute when a cut back from the right side was saved by PIFA goalkeeper. PIFA came forward in the 12^th minute and got a free-kick for their efforts only for the Somaiya goalkeeper to make an easy save.

From then on most of the play took in the midfield where both sides struggled to keep possession with the opponent making key interceptions and tackles.  PIFA looked to equalise playing a highline but a misplaced pass released Somaiya’s 13 Siddhesh Bhagwat on goal with the PIFA keeper having to come out and clear the ball for a throw in. Somaiya’s Pulkit Upadhay was very lively on the right hand side making some fantastic runs behind the PIFA defense putting in crosses on for PIFA keeper to make the saves. At half time the scored remained 1-0 in favour of Somaiya VidyaVihar.

Both the teams played a well-constructed passing game. But both defences were up for it intercepting most of the balls thwarting any potential goal scoring move.

In the second half PIFA Colaba were chasing the game as they looked to equalise playing a highline. Somaiya VidyaVihar kept their shape and were looking to release their captain Abhay Amin on the break at times. And he could have made it 2-0 on for the PIFA keeper to make a well timed tackle. In the very next minute Somaiya Pulkit was through on goal who took a weak shot which was saved again.

PIFA could create a couple of chances but were let down by their finishing as the shots were fired over the goal. In the end it was a win for Somaiya VidyaVihar who could have won by a greater margin had they converted their opportunities. For PIFA Colaba they can thank their keeper for keeping them in the game till the last minute and can really take a lot of positives from this game.

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