Mumbai Strikers SC were newcomers in one of the most prestigious tournaments in the city of Mumbai, the Independence Cup. After qualifying for the Elite Division last year, MS automatically qualify to play the tournament and it was a marvellous run for their first one.

MS were listed to play their first match with Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) who have spent several years in the elite. The game ended 0-0 in regulation time and went into the tie breakers, where MS triumphed 6-5 to qualify for the quarter finals. MS faced HDFC in the quarter-finals and were in cruise control after taking a 1-0 lead. However, in the dying minutes of the second half, a resilient HDFC came back with an equaliser taking MS into yet another penalty shootout. MS kept their nerves on this one too as they beat HDFC by 5-3 in the shootout.

On Day 2 of the tournament, MS locked horns with Western Railways vying for a place in the grand finale. Both teams found it difficult as heavy rains lashed the encounter. However, Western Railway broke the deadlock in the first half through a decent build up that ended in the MS net. The second half was a better one for MS as they held the railway men and at full time the score read 1-0.

Newly appointed MS Head Coach Sandeep Singh was pleased with the performance being a debut and called for more focus on the next target which is the elite league season.