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Pune edge Mumbai in thriller to win the Maharashtra Inter District Football Championship for Sub-Junior Boys.
Pune District edged Mumbai District 2-1 in a penalty shootout after the tie ended 1-1 in regulation time to win the Maharashtra Inter District Football Championship for Sub-Junior Boys held at the Sports Complex Ground in Panchavati, Nashik on Wednesday morning. Both Mumbai and Pune scored the same number of goals and conceded just one goal in the competition, but the boys from Pune held their nerves in the crucial penalty shootout to win the title.
Pune in red-hot form after a 7-0 victory over Nashik in the semi-final, came under some early pressure from the Mumbai side who seized control of the ball possession. Despite dominating the ball, Mumbai were finding it difficult to split open the Pune defence who held a good defensive shape early on.
As the game progressed, Mumbai made good use of their pace upfront by punting long balls over the Pune backline. Mumbai finally found the breakthrough in the 20th minute, when Utsav Pradhan beat the offside trap to fire past the Pune goalkeeper to give Mumbai the advantage.
Pune responded they almost equalized score through a stunning free kick which was heroically kept out by Chinmay Shinde at full stretch. Mumbai had another chance with Pune goalkeeper Austin D’Cruz making a tremendous save on the line to deny Mumbai’s Cornelius Rodrigues who shot from point blank range.
Mumbai held the advantage at half time after having better chances of the two teams.
Pune started the second half strongly to dominate. Mumbai inviting pressure, defended deep into their half.
Pune relentless pursuit for the goal was eventually rewarded seven minutes from time as Pune’s Pranav Kale kept his cool to slot home the equalizer after a well worked move.
Kale’s goal was enough to take the game into the penalty shootout where Cornelius Rodrigues scored to put Mumbai ahead. Mumbai goalkeeper Chinmay saved from Rohit Mangle. Mumbai’s top scorer Ridge D’Mello missed his penalty to keep Pune in the hunt.
Chaitanya Advani restored parity for Pune in the shootout. Mumbai’s Joshua D’Souza then fired his penalty wide before Pune’s goal scorer in the match Pranav Kale put Pune ahead in the shootout. Mumbai’s hopes were dealt a huge blow when Lance Fernandes missed his penalty. However Pune failed to wrap up the game as Pune’s Vinay Kondamur couldn’t convert from the spot. But Utsav Pradhan’s penalty was saved by the Pune goalkeeper Austin D’Cruz to eventually give Pune the win.
It was a cracking game of football as both teams brought out their best in the Finals.
Pune resilient after the break took the trophy home with a gritty and confident performance.
Satara’s Yashvardhan More was awarded the top goal scorer for the tournament. He scored eight goals in four matches. Mumbai’s Chinmay Shirke bagged the Best Goalkeeper award.
Pranav Kale (Pune) was adjudged the Best Player of the Tournament.
