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The Maharashtra Inter-district Football Championship for Sub-Junior boys organized by Nanded District Football Association concluded today with Mumbai District triumphing over Pune District.
The Mumbai boys won the championship in a penalty shootout after the regulation time ended with a 1-1 scoreline.
Pune District began the match on a strong note as they attacked with intensity and were rewarded early as Yash Gangral scored from outside the box. He cut inside from the left and curled a shot over the Mumbai keeper who was unable to keep the effort out.
The Mumbai side, despite suffering an early setback stuck to their game and kept pressing the Pune defence. The Mumbai attack was marshalled by Raul Almeida from the central midfield and Karan Prajapati at the top of the attack.
Mumbai’s persistence paid off in the 25th minute when Karan Prajapati scored past Pune to equalize. His shot on the goal after a clearance by Pune bounced off a defender and went into the net. The first half ended with a 1-1 scoreline as the sides went into the break on level terms.
The second half began with Mumbai looking in control on the pitch and moving the ball around well. The Pune boys were sitting back in defence and attacking from the wings on the counter.
The Pune side were reduced to ten boys when captain Fardeen Shaikh was sent off in the 57th minute for unsporting conduct on the pitch. Pune became more defensive as they held on till the end of regulation time to force penalties.
Mumbai came out on top in the penalty shootout as they won 4-1 to clinch the Inter-district Championship. Mumbai’s Karan Prajapati, Raul Almeida, Jaden Irani and Adityan AP scored from the spot as the only Pune player who scored was Satish Kondamuri. Mumbai’s goalkeeper Piyush Gupta produced a great save in the shootout diving to his right.
Final Score : Mumbai 1-1 Pune (Mumbai win 4-1 in penalty shootout)
The Mumbai lads added this win in the Maharashtra Inter-district Football Championship for Sub-Junior Boys at Nanded to the U-17 Junior Boys and U-17 Junior Girls held at Jalgaon and Palghar respectively.
