Pune: Sesa FA, Goa staged a brilliant comeback rallying from a one-goal deficit to down Mumbai FC 3-1 to qualify for the semi-finals in style topping Group B in the 7th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Football Cup, at the at the Bharati Vidyapeeth Educational Complex Ground, here on Wednesday.

The result means Premier India Football Academy (PIFA), Colaba FC go through to the semi-finals as runners-up of the group.

Mumbai FC went ahead through an opening minute goal by Jayesh Rane (1st minute), before Sesa FA’s equalized in the first half through Adwin Lucas(45+3 minute). Sesa came back to add two more goals through  Pratesh Shirodkar(82nd minute) and an ‘own-goal’ from Mumbai’s Karan Amin (89the minute).

The match burst into action in the very first minute when Mumbai FC went ahead through striker Jayesh Rane. Jayesh finished a great move after receiving a neat through ball from his strike partner Vishal Kotak.

The early moments of the match were marred with couple of controversial decisions by the referee and Sesa refused to continue play after two penalty appeals were denied. After play resumed, Sesa had a couple of chances, but the Mumbai ‘keeper James Swamy proved to be a hard nut to crack.

Mumbai thought they had gone two-up, when Jayesh put the ball past the ’keeper after combining well with Vishal once again, only to be waived ‘offside’.

At the other end, Sesa, who pressed hard, were denied an equalizer when Marcus Fernandes headed a Pratesh Shirodkar cross from the right onto the crossbar.

The Goans persistence finally paid off when the equalized in the final minute of the first half after Adwin Lucas capitalized on a failed clearance attempt by the Mumbai defence.

The first half ended with both sides locked on a goal each.

The second half resumed with both sides pushing for the lead. Sesa had an excellent chance when Pratesh sent in a free kick from the left, but Mumbai ’keeper James punched the ball away.

As the half progressed, both sides started playing aggressively and had many missed chances.
Sesa managed to up their game and won a freekick in a dangerous position. Skipper Pratesh stepped up and curled in a brilliant free kick to give Sesa the lead in the 82nd minute.

Sesa went two-up in the 89th minute through an own goal by Mumbai’s Karan Amin. The defender deflected a Rakshak Naik shot into his own net.

In the dying moments of the game, Sesa almost went three goals ahead when Pratesh’s try from the top of the box hit the crossbar.

The game ended 3-1 in favor of Sesa FA, Goa.