Mumbai Strikers (MSSC) played their last league tie against table toppers, R.B.I SC (RBI) on 12th May 2014 at MSSA ground, CST. RBI had four wins out of four with 12 points and MSSC were on 10 points with 5 games played. It was a must win game for MSSC to keep their qualification aspirations alive. At the same time, I.C.L FC (ICL), who also had similar stats as MSSC, were playing against Khalsa Gymkhana on St. Xavier’s ground, Parel. They had to win by a healthy margin as MSSC already had a bigger goal difference and RBI had a game in hand.
RBI boasted a side that had ex and current National players in Rolfred Coutinho and Floyd Dharmai. Floyd was part of the Maharashtra team that participated in this year’s Santosh Trophy. RBI also did not concede a single goal in their previous four league outings. To add to that, they had beaten ICL 2 - 0 in a fixture earlier in the league. MSSC knew they were getting to a battlefield and nothing less than a victory would help.
MSSC had a game plan and were confident victory was imminent if they stuck to it. Akshay Devadiga was handed his first start and the Captains armband after injury had kept him out for most of the season. This by far was MSSC’s best defensive performance of the season. The defensive unit was effective in closing down players and intercepting passes. MSSC scored their first goal in the first 20 minutes. Pranav M. lobbed the ball over the defense for Ravish D., who eased passed Floyd with a fake to get to his left foot and slotted the ball past the keeper. RBI then had a series of corner kicks that troubled MSSC, however keeper Leon Menezes stood firm in goal with some important saves. Half time ended at 1 - 0.
The second half saw an incident that forced the referee to show 2 Red Cards, one to each team. A RBI defender was caught throwing a slap at an MSSC player who then as per the linesman retaliated which got them the marching orders. With ten minutes left, RBI had several players in the attacking third trying to get an equalizer. This left gaps in the middle of the park. Abhijit Shetty got the ball in the midfield which he then put it through to Ravish D. who slammed the ball home with his left foot to the far corner. MSSC players were jumping with joy as they knew that the full time whistle wasn’t far away.
That is how the game ended, 2 - 0 in favor of MSSC. ICL on the other hand had won their game 2 - 1, but the healthy goal difference that MSSC have, assures them a place in the playoffs. RBI now has to beat Khalsa Gymkhana in their final game or else ICL will join MSSC in the playoffs.
Congratulations to MSSC on their playoff spot and all the very best to them in their quest for promotion.