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Mumbai hold their nerves to lift the Maharashtra Inter District Football Championship for Junior Boys
Mumbai District U-17 side emerged victorious after a penalty shootout in the Final of the Maharashtra Inter District Football Championship for Junior Boys against Pune District in Sangli on Wednesday afternoon which ended 3-0 in favour of the Mumbai side after a 1-1 draw in the regulation time of play.
Mumbai who had cruised into the Final with a 4-1 win over Jalgaon displayed similar form in the early parts of the Final encounter and were rewarded in the 13th minute, when the competition’s top scorer Arfat Ansari was on target once again to put Mumbai ahead in the all-important final.
However, Pune responded well to going behind and fought back into the game as the first half ended. Five minutes from half time, Pune crucially drew level through an Edwin Falaro free kick which sent the encounter level pegging at half time.
The second half was a cagey affair as both teams were cautious in their approach with a fear of losing the game.
The second half which had little chances for either teams ended with the game tied at 1-1.
In the penalty shootout that followed, Pune completely collapsed as Mumbai held their nerves to win the shootout and ultimately the Championship 3-0 on penalties.
Mumbai’s success was reflected in the end of the tournament awards as Mumbai’s Arfat Ansari was awarded Best Player of Championship, while Mumbai’s custodian Musaddique Khan was adjudged as the Best Goalkeeper.
