Air India Colony Boys held their nerves to overcome a determined Kalina United FC by a fighting 7-6 margin via the tie-breaker in an engrossing Men’s Open final of 19th Kalina Football League organised by the Our Lady of Egypt Church Sports Committee under the auspices of the Mumbai Football Association, and played at the St. Mary’s HS ground, Kalina.
The contest between the top two teams in the league witnessed a strong tussle for supremacy and the match finished in a 2-2 draw.
Air India Colony Boys scored through Kishan Singh and Pramod Pandey in normal time, while Kalina United got their goals through Keegan Pinto and Melvin Barboza to force the draw. The referee’s enforced the penalty shootout to settle the outcome of the match.
In the tie-breaker, Air India players confidently scored through Kishan Singh, Pramod Pandey, Shamer Swami, Shyam Sawant and Vinod Pandey to clinch the win and emerge champions. Kalina United could only convert four shots through Keegan Pinto, Melvin Barboza, Kiran Jadhav and Sachin Rawat and had to settle for the runner-up prize.
Earlier, in the Boys Under-16 final, Kalina United tasted success as their lads defeated FC Kolovery 2-0 to clinch the top honours. Strikers Brett Rodrigues and Pratham Jadhav were the star performers scoring a goal each for the victors.
FIFA referee Crystal John was the Chief Guest and presented the Champions Air India Colony Boys with the Champions’ Trophy and Kalina United with the runners-up trophy. Both teams also received substantial cash awards.
In a women’s exhibition match, Ambernath United showed their class as they defeated Kalina Rangers SC by a thumping 8-0 margin.
Results – Boys’ U-16: Kalina United 2 (Brett Rodrigues, Pratham Jadhav) beat FC Kolovery 0.
Men’s Open (finals): Air India Colony Boys 7 (Kishan Singh 2, Pramod Pandey 2, Shamer Swami, Shyam Sawant, Vinod Pandey) beat Kalina United 6 (Keegan Pinto 2, Melvin Barboza 2, Kiran Jadhav, Sachin Rawat) via the tie-breaker. Full-time: 2-2.
Individual awards – Player of the Tournament: Cedric D’Mello (Kalina United) & Shamer Swami (Air India Colony Boys); Player of the Final: Melwin Barboza (Kalina United); Top Goal-scorer: Jaydeep Panarkar (Air India Colony Boys); Best Goalkeeper: Jackson Gomes (Egyptian Boys); Best Defender: Pramod Pandey (Air India Colony Boys); Upcoming Player: Dawson D’Cruz (J.P. United).
Women: Ambernath United 8 (Priyanka Sujeesh 3, Mmehak Lobo 2, Valencia D’Mello, Summer Gonsalves, Mansi Surve) beat Kalina Rangers SC 0.