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On May 29, 2024, Mumbai emerged as the champions of the Inter District Football Championship (Sub-Junior Boys), adding another feather to their cap in Maharashtra’s football history.
The WIFA Inter-District Championship for Sub-Junior Boys kicked off on May 23rd, 2024, bringing together young footballers from 32 districts across Maharashtra. The competition took place at the Shirpur Dhule, where promising talents showcased their skills and sportsmanship.
The tournament saw some surprising early exits, with giants like Kolhapur and Nagpur bowing out sooner than expected. Meanwhile, districts like Palghar and Thane made significant strides, with Palghar reaching the top four and Thane emerging as runners-up, highlighting the growth and potential in youth football across these regions.
In a tournament characterized by fierce competition, the semifinals saw Mumbai and Thane emerge as the contenders for the title. Mumbai displayed their dominance in the first semifinal, overpowering Palghar with a commanding 6-1 victory, led by Anaai Dsouza’s remarkable performance, netting four goals. At the other end, Thane secured their spot in the final by defeating Pune district with a solid 2-0 scoreline.
In the exciting climax at the RC Patel ground, Mumbai and Thane delivered a spectacular match. Mumbai’s Ranvir Chona, made his mark with a swift goal early in the game, bringing excitement to the ground. Buoyed by the early success, Mumbai pressed on, displaying impressive teamwork and coordination. Mumbai led 1-0 at halftime.
The second half started with a bang! Anaai Dsouza and Samarth Rai fueled Mumbai’s momentum with their clinical finishing, adding to the team’s lead as the match progressed. Despite Thane’s efforts to stage a comeback, Mumbai’s defense held firm, thwarting every attempt with resilience and composure. The final whistle signaled Mumbai’s well-deserved 3-0 victory.
It was an impressive campaign for Thane too as they finished Runnersup for the first time. Starting the competition with a massive 13-1 win over Beed, Thane edged out Raigad 1-0 before hammering Hingoli with 7-0 win in Quarterfinals. In the Semi-finals, Thane held their nerves to beat Pune 2-0 setting up their first ever finals appearance.
Meanwhile, the battle for third place saw Pune secure a comfortable 3-0 win over Palghar, capitalizing on their early lead and maintaining a solid defensive stance throughout the match.
Individual excellence was also recognized with Thane’s Satyajeet Yadav being honored with the Best Goalkeeper award for his exceptional skills between the sticks. Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Anaai D’souza clinched the Top Scorer award, bagging an impressive 11 goals throughout the tournament. Pune’s Badal Kamble and Ariv Nayak were also among the goals scoring 9 each.
