Mumbai Strikers clinch top spot in the first edition of the Mulund Football League with a convincing 4-2 win over 2nd place Soccer Hearts on the final day of the Mulund Football League 2015.
Before the final day of the league, both Mumbai Strikers and Soccer Hearts occupied the 1st and 2nd place on the table with 24 points each; separated only by Goal Difference. The final day of the league featured the top two teams face each other making it the most awaited fixture in the league as both had a shot at the title. Mumbai Strikers needed a draw whereas Soccer Hearts had to win to be crowned champions of Mulund.
But MS made it clear right from the very start that they will not play for a draw and went all guns blazing to snatch the most important win of the Mulund Football League Season. MS started with a bang as Striker Akshay Devadiga managed to score the opener midway through the first half with a deft first touch lob over the keeper. Towards the end of the first half, MS striker Ravish D’souza managed to head home a precise center from Akshay D to double the lead. The Soccer Hearts forwards looked out of sorts as they were unable to settle as MS defenders Arnold M. and Rakesh P. displayed textbook man to man marking. At half-time the score read 2-0 in favour of MS.
The second Half saw a much better performance from Soccer Hearts as they managed to test MS goalkeeper Leon Menezes with some mean shots. But the MS attack proved fruitful again as a quick Akshay D. free kick caught the Soccer Hearts defence napping putting fellow striker Ravish D. in on goal with only the Goal Keeper to beat. A thunderous shot at the first post saw MS take a 3-0 comfortable lead. Soccer Hearts responded with a goal in the very second minute of the restart as a solo effort from their consistently performing midfielder Nitin Kumar made it 3-1. But all hopes of a comeback from Soccer Hearts were crushed as the referee awarded MS with a penalty as the Soccer Hearts defender brought down striker Akshay D. who was about to pull the trigger. Akshay D slotted home the penalty and MS could taste victory with the scoreboard reading 4-1. Soccer Hearts proved yet again that they were all heart with another quick goal to make it 4-2. MS managed to keep up their workrate and pull-off a much deserved win. With the final whistle MS were crowned Champions of Mulund with an unbeaten record of 27 points from 9 wins.
Mumbai Strikers SC won the title of Champions in the first ever Mulund Football League which was held at the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex. The trophy and winning amounts to the winners and runners-up were handed over by Mr. Vaibhav Patil and Mr. Trinity Gonzalves respectively who were the main guests for the final day of the tournament. Both the guests spoke words of encouragement and also mentioned that such Leagues must be held year on year to discover new and hidden talent in the vicinity of Mulund.