Former Junior India goalkeeper Harshad Meher was at his brilliant best and brought off two fantastic saves in the crucial penalty shootout tie-breaker which helped Hirai Suns FC sneak past Shark FC 4-2 in a tense and absorbing semi-final match of the Colaba Sports League and played at the Cooperage ground. The match finished in a goalless draw.
Hirai Suns FC goalkeeper Harshad Meher in action against Shark FC during their semi-final
The young Hirai Suns custodian Harshad was outstanding throughout the match and made quite a number of fines saves much to the delight of the goodly crowd that had gathered to witness the contest under floodlights late on Wednesday night. In the penalty shootout duel, Harshad showed good anticipation and quick reflexes to block the attempts from Shark FC’s marquee player Anil Pawar and Ajinkya Umasare, which proved decisive for Hirai Suns to come out trumps.
Hirai Suns strikers did not let down their goalkeeper Harshad as they successfully converted the first four attempts taken by Heekmat Singh, Karan Bhoir, Sushil Kawde and Akash Jadhav to secure the win and the passage to the summit round. Shark FC managed to score only two through Mrunal Tandel and Shailesh Jadhav.
Hirai Suns FC goalkeeper Harshad Meher seen receiving the Player of the match award from Sultan A, a former football player
Harshad was the obvious choice for the ‘Player of the match’ award.
Earlier in the first semi-final, Flash FC’s marquee player Sagar Bedekar scored twice, one in each half, in leading the team to a close 2-1 win against Jyoti FC. Former Mumbai FC midfielder and Jyoti’s marquee player John Coutinho with a brilliant long range effort scored the lone goal for his team. Coutinho was named ‘Player of the match’.
Results: Flash FC 2 (Sagar Bedekar 28th-pen, 67th) beat Jyoti FC 1 (John Coutinho 29th). Player of the match: John Coutinho (Jyoti FC).
Hirai Suns FC 4 (Heekmat Singh, Karan Bhoir, Sushil Kawde, Akash Jadhav) beat Shark FC 2 (Mrunal Tandel, Shailesh Jadhav) via the tie-breaker. Full-time: 0-0. Player of the match: Harshad Meher (Hirai Suns).