Mumbai: The iconic Cooperage ground in Churchgate is still fresh in his mind. The former Mafatlal Group of Mills from 1968 to 1984 in the Harwood League, Ranjit Thapa went down the memory lane on the third MDFA Football Night Football here recently. “The sound of my shots hitting the woodwork (goalposts were made of wood), still keep resonating in my head. I enjoyed every challenge from the opponents and loved the comments from the large number of fans,” said the legend while recalling his illustrious career during his 16-year long association with Mumbai football.
Besides, the great Thapa who represented India in the 60s and 70s, the others who were present at the function was four-time hockey Olympian Dhanraj Pillay, India’s U-17 World Cup goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh, Junior India striker Anirudh Thapa, ISL player Rahul Bheke and a hosts of former Indian and national level players. Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto, a former Mahindra United and Mohun Bagan star was also present. The Champions, runners-up and the third place winners of the women’s League, the First, Second and Third Divisions and the Super and Elite Division Leagues were presented with their respective trophies. In additional individual awards for the best performers (nominees and winners) from all six divisions also received their awards.
JMJ Sports Club proved to be the most consistent club in the city as for the third successive year they emerged champions winning the First Division title. They won the Third Division title on debut in 2017 and won the Second Division title in 2018. Mumbai Customs (Elite Division), FC Pune City (Super Divison) and Sparks FC (Women’s League) also emerged champions.
The winners
Women Division: Champions: Sparks FC; Runner-Up: Football School Of India; Third Place: India Rush Soccer Club. Fair Play award: Somaiya SA; Best Goalkeeper: Riya Tank (FSI); Best Defender: Arifa Zaheer (FLA); Best Midfielder: Abeer Arshiwala (Sparks FC); Best Striker: Priya Sukhadeva (India Rush SC).
Third Division: Champion: Footie First FC; Runner-Up: Sanpada FC; Third Place: Om Saidham Seva Mandal. Fairplay: Navkar Fooyball Club; Best Goalkeeper: Sanath Poyyara (Sanpada FC); Best Defender: Ranson Patel (Footie First FC); Best Midfielder: Ruel Kunder (OSSM); Best Striker: Venkatesh Devkar (Anstrengung United).
Second Division: Champion: Rudra FA; Runner-Up: We Care FC; Third Place: Anushakti Nagar SA; Fair Play award: BEST Arts & Sports Club; Best Goalkeeper: Divesh Bharia (Rudra FA); Best Defender: Shubham Pandit (Anushakti Nagar SA); Best Midfielder: Rohit Singh (Rudra FA); Best Striker: Brijal Victor Posa (United Villagers WA).
First Division: Champion: JMJ Sports Club; Runner-Up: D K Pharma; Third Place: Bombay YMCA;
Fair Play award: Franco Sports Football; Best Goalkeeper: Siddhesh More (Bombay YMCA); Best Defender: Omkar Shinde (DK Pharma); Best Midfielder: Ankit Chavan (JMJ SC); Best Striker: Sajid Ansari (Bombay YMCA).
Super Division: Champion: FC Pune City; Runner-Up: ICL Payyade; Third Place: Iron Born-CFCI; Fair Play award: Kenkre FC ‘B’.
Individual awards
Best goalkeeper: Birendra Singh (Reliance FYC); Best Defender: Nikhil Prabhi (FC Pune City); Best Midfielder: Valiyattil Nemil (Reliance FYC.); Best Striker: Asad Khan (ICL Payyade).
Elite Division: Champion: Mumbai Customs; Runner-Up: Air India; Third Place: Central Bank of India; Fair Play award: Companeroes SC.
Individual awards – Best goalkeeper: Liyaz Koya (Mumbai Customs); Best defender: Lawrence Betgeri; Best Midfielder: Shanon Pereira; Best Striker: Yogesh Kadam (Central Bank).
