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!

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Termed as India’s largest youth soccer club, India Rush who is now a part of Steadfast family has produced a number of emerging talents since the last couple of years and undoubtedly it will continue to top the charts in near future.

Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush SC’s upcoming initiative has further proved how the club has been working brilliantly towards the growth of grassroots level and players’ development which will set a base not only in Mumbai but also all over the Nation. The club has now become familiar in Mumbai after participating in some of the big tournaments as they are leaving absolutely no chance to showcase their dedication towards football.

Junior I-league, MDFA, AIFF are some of the renowned leagues/tournaments where Steadfast FC has been seen involved lately. On top of that, Steadfast FC’s youth players have already taken MSSA by storm after leading their school to numerous titles in the last few years.

One big example is Ridge D’Mello who has also captained Maharashtra in State District and has also performed brilliantly for his school Sacred Heart Boys in MSSA.

The upcoming tournaments – India Rush Premier Cup and India Rush Champions League will soon hit the city to give a huge opportunity for the talented players to showcase their skills. The best players to come out from this tournament will be given a chance to represent Steadfast FC in near future.

Such initiatives in the city will offer more opportunities to the dedicated ones and it will further help to set a big base and platform for football which has been lacking over the last two decades.

India Rush Premier Cup will kick-off from 18th December 2016 onwards which includes both Boys and Girls category, whereas, India Rush Champions League will get underway on 8th January 2017 and will be played among Boys.

To know more about both the events, read here in detail: http://www.footballcounter.com/2016/india-rush-soccer-offering-scholarships-through-tournaments/

The post Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush SC making a strong impact in the city appeared first on Football Counter.

Mumbai FC came into the match on the back of a 3-0 victory over PIFA Colaba, whereas, Steadfast FC only managed to get a point against PIFA Colaba.

Although Mumbai FC dominated the game and kept more ball possession than their counterpart, the Yellow Submarine failed to capitalize their chances which unfortunately came back to haunt them in the second-half. Steadfast’s defenders Abel Fernandes and Shadrach Cardoza had a fine game who the majority of the match kept Mumbai FC’s forwards Kamran Ansari and  Zimik Khangampam at bay.

But the standout performer for Steadfast FC was none other than their custodian Ashray Gandhi who made some tremendous saves to deny Mumbai FC. One of the saves came off from Kamran Ansari’s powerful shot which Ashray brilliantly managed to keep it out.

In the 58th minute of the match, a slip up in Mumbai FC’s defense saw Tyson Patel in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Harshal Tandel where the former calmly buried his shot in the back of the net to execute an amazing counter-attacking move which put Steadfast FC in front.

Mumbai FC did have opportunities to score a late equalizer but Steadfast FC held their nerves to register their first win of the campaign. With this win, Steadfast FC have four points from two games, whereas, Mumbai FC have three points from two games.

The post Tyson Patel’s lone goal helps Steadfast FC see off Mumbai FC in U-16 Youth League appeared first on Football Counter.

Both the teams are looking favorites and surely aiming for all three points. Steadfast FC had gathered only four points in last year’s campaign, but this term the team looks sharper and composed which can turn out to be essential today at Cooperage.

Steadfast’s Cornelius Rodrigues and Captain Jonathan D’Souza both had a fine game against PIFA Colaba in their last game and they can once again prove to be a potent threat for Mumbai FC.

Meanwhile, for the Yellow Submarines, Kamran Ansari was their star performer in their 3-0 drubbing of PIFA Colaba where he scored a brilliant goal. Kundan Chandra’s boys seem to all geared up for this clash in order to maintain their fine form. Mumbai FC had the last laugh when they meet Steadfast FC last season after drubbing them 5-0 which could be a focal point heading towards today’s much-anticipated encounter.

It will be quite interesting to see how both the set of players approach this game in a tense evening under Cooperage’s floodlights. Nonetheless, this game will surely the one to look out for.

The post Steadfast Mumbai Rush SC set to face Mumbai FC in the U16 Y-League today appeared first on Football Counter.

In their first game of this year’s Maharashtra Zone of U16 Y league, Steadfast FC U16 opened their points table with a point from a goalless draw against PIFA U16. An exciting game was in witness as both teams looked to take an early lead.

PIFA, coming from the 0-3 annihilation at the hands Mumbai FC U16 in the opening day match, were more on the attacking front but failed to finish of their moves. Steadfast were brilliant in their defensive setup as PIFA attacks were kept at bay.

Akash jadhav and Ganesh Rathod were very Impressive as both came close to scoring for PIFA U16 in the first half while for Steadfast FC, captain Jonathan Dsouza lead from the front in their counterattacks.

First half ended at score 0-0, Minutes before the break, the game saw its first booking when Steadfast forward Ashutosh Shukla was shown yellow by the referee

Second half started with Steadfast looking more aggressive than the first half. Looking for that decisive goal, Cornelius Rodrigues came very close to breaking the deadlock for steadfast when his goal bound header was spectacularly saved by Maneet to keep PIFA in the game.

Captain Joanathan Dsouza was the most impressive player for Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush SC as they fail to capitalize on their attack. Both teams came away with point at the end of the game as the match ended in a goalless draw.

Also Read: U16 Y league, Maharashtra Zone: Steadfast Mumbai Rush SC face PIFA U16 in their first game

Teams:

PIFA FC U16

Maneet Malhotra (GK), Sahil Marchande, Aman Gaikwad, Akash Jadhav, Bredan Pillay (Kabbir Sukhwani 8’), Deavy Songara, Ganesh Rathod, Dikshant More, Akash Rathod, Akshat Agarwal (Vinayak Singh 39’)

Unused Subs: Kartik Waghela, Manjeet Athavale, Sanket Kagade, Rameshwar Patkar, Vrutik Jadhav

Steadfast FC – Mumbai Rush SC U16

Jaimeen Shah(GK), Abel Fernandes, Tyson Patel, Jonathan Dsouza (c), Cornellius Rodrigues, Shadrach Cardoza (Neeraj Shegade 58’), Jetra Chavda (Mohammad Malik 74’), Aman Shetty, Ravi Meena (Bhupati Chandra 43’), Ashutosh Shukla, Ashish Shetty

Unused subs: Ashray Gandhi(GK), Salman Shaikh, Riddesh Bakhle, Vinay Sharma   

Bookings:     Yellow – Ashutosh Shukla 44’, Bhupati Chandra 74’, Abel Fernandes 76’

Score:

PIFA U16 0 – 0 Steadfast FC – Rush Mumbai SC U16

The post PIFA FC, Steadfast FC share a point each in Match 4 of U16 Y league Maharashtra zone appeared first on Football Counter.

In the afternoon game of the third day of Maharashtra zone of U16 Y league, PIFA U16 will take on Steadfast Mumbai Rush SC or Steadfast FC (STDF). PIFA U16 faced a crushing defeat in the opening game of Maharashtra zone Y league, when they lost 0-3 to Mumbai FC U16 and will be looking to bounce back against STDF tomorrow.

Also Read: U16 Y league, Maharashtra Zone: Kenkre to take on RYFS on Sunday

Steadfast Mumbai Rush SC, who came last with just 4 points in ten games in the last years Maharashtra zone, will be looking to turn things around this time. Facing their first opponent of this season, STDF will be eager to start the campaign with a victory against PIFA U16, who are on the back of a demoralizing 0-3 loss to Mumbai FC U16. The match will held at Cooperage stadium with afternoon kick off scheduled at 3:30 PM.

U16 Y-League, Maharashtra zone-Day 3:

PIFA U16 vs. STDF U16, 3:30 PM

Venue: Cooperage Stadium, Mumbai

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