Reliance Young Champs dished out a virtuoso second half performance, striking four goals during this period, to record an authoritative 4-1 win against strong challengers Mumbai City FC in the concluding play-off match of the Maharashtra State Youth (Boys U-15) League 2023-24 and played at the Cooperage Football Ground, Colaba.
Reliance Young Champs players are in jubilant mood as they receive the Champions trophy from Clarence Lobo, hockey coach and former national-level player.
Having finished with an all-win record in the six-team play-offs Reliance (15 points) were crowned Champions, while Mumbai City who suffered their first defeat (12 points) had to settle for second best. Pune’s Krida Prabhodhini with nine points finished third.
After a barren first session, the skilful Reliance strikers turned the heat on their arch-rivals and in the very second minute on resumption they broke Mumbai City’s resistance. Prolific striker Shadhil EK, who with 22 goals emerged as the top goal-scorer, beat goalkeeper Vedant Pujari with a snap left-footed drive to the roof of the net. Eight minutes later Sugnik Ghosh’s flag-kick from the right saw goalkeeper Vedant let the ball slip out of hands and roll into the goal much to the delight of the Reliance players.
Later, the energetic Shawn Fernandes scored two goals in the 75th and 87th minutes to ensure their triumph. Mumbai City managed to score a consolation goal in the first minute of the additional period through Yuvraj Kadam, who was later declared as the ‘Player of the Tournament’.
Reliance goalkeeper who had 11 clean sheets in the tournament won the ‘Best Goalkeeper’ award.
The Maharashtra State Youth Under-15 League is the best platform for the development of youth football in Maharashtra. It provides an opportunity for talented youngsters to showcase their skills and gain recognition. It also encourages healthy competition between teams, giving players the chance to learn from their peers and develop their footballing abilities.
This was a highly competitive tournament and it was great to see Reliance Young Champs crowned champions. They showed a lot of quality and resilience throughout the tournament and their win is a testament to their hard work and dedication.
It was also great to see Mumbai City and Krida Prabhodhini making it to the top three. They both have some excellent players who have the potential to one day make it to the top level of football.
Result: Reliance Young Champs 4 (Shadhil EK 47th min, Sugnik Ghosh 55th min, Shawn Fernandes 75th & 87th min) beat Mumbai City FC 1 (Yuvraj Kadam 90+1st min).