The Strikers scored three second half goals in good time as they breezed past Millat FC by a convincing scoreline of 3-0. After a demoralising defeat against DECA, Mumbai Strikers rose to the occasion to win it and keep their hopes of a semi-final spot alive.
Mumbai Strikers stuck to their strategy as always and created chances to get into the Millat half. In one attempt, it looked as if it would be the first goal when Ravish D directed a sure header into the net. A flying Millat goalkeeper spectacularly diverted the course of the ball and denied Ravish his first of the game. The attempts kept flowing and MS were close to breaking the deadlock again when midfielder Nitin K centred the ball to find Pranav M whose first touch beat the keeper. However, a timely clearance off the line by one of Millat’s defender kept the score 0-0 and that is how it ended in the first half.
After a mediocre 45 minutes, MS were under immense pressure of scoring if they had to keep their chances of progressing to the next stage. It began all the same as the Strikers were frequently in the Millat half. MS drew first blood when Akshay D cut one of their defenders only to prompt him to commit a foul in the penalty area. MS won a penalty and it was sweetly converted by the prolific Ravish D to make the score 1-0. It did not take a while as the next goal came in quick succession through a set piece. Rayan T stepped up to take the kick and his accurate pass found defender Ryan K who calmly headed the ball into the net. MS built up to take an unassailable lead of 2-0. Within 15 minutes from the first goal, a Millat defender gave away another penalty by tripping Akshay D again in the area. Having scored the first one, Ravish D confidently slotted the ball into the far corner and the score read 3-0 in the favour of the Strikers. With a few minutes remaining, Millat FC had already given up on the chase and MS grabbed three vital points which placed them second in the pool.
MS have a chance to progress to the Semi Finals and it will be a decider against the unbeaten MS Police whom they face on the 28th of February.