Defending champions Fleetfooters Football Club crashed out suffering a 3-4 tie-breaker defeat at the hands of Milan Club in the semi-finals of the 5th Borivali Football League (BFL) – 2022, conducted under the auspices of the Mumbai Football Association, and played at the St. Francis D’Assisi HS ground, Borivali. A total of 120 minutes failed to produce a goal and the penalty shootout was enforced to settle the outcome of the tense thrilling match.
Later, substitute Brendon D’Mello scored twice in extra-time to guide Maryland Football Club to a deserving 2-0 victory against Nine Stars Football Club in a well-contested second semi-final.
Three-time champions Fleetfooters encountered a strong challenge from Milan Club who put up a determined performance throughout the 90 minutes of regulation period and 30 minutes of extra time. Milan Club defended resolutely and denied Fleetfooters from finding the net and at the same time were also unable to score a goal and the tie was extended to the penalty shootout contest.
In the tie-breaker, Milan Club shooters showed better nerves and converted four attempts through Ritesh Perambra, Ankit Dalvi, Amol Jadhav, and Sunny Thakur, while Fleetfooters could only score three goals through Umesh Perambra, Merwyn Fernandes, and Johnson Mathews and made their exit.
Later in the day, Maryland FC and Nine Stars FC were also engaged in an absorbing tussle for supremacy and the scores were deadlocked 0-0 at the end of regulation period. However, in extra time Brendon scored twice to help Maryland snatch a deserving 2-0 win and set up a clash with Milan Club in the final.
Results – semi-finals: Milan Club 4 (Ritesh Perambra, Ankit Dalvi, Amol Jadhav, Sunny Thakur) beat Fleetfooters FC 3 (Umesh Perambra, Merwyn Fernandes, Johnson Mathews) via the tie-breaker. Full-time and extra-time: 0-0.
Maryland FC 2 (Brendon D’Mello 2) beat Nine Stars FC 0.