MUMBAI, MAY 9: Ambernath United Atlanta FC have come a long way since their inception two years ago. A double winning season in their very first year where they won the Elite Premier League 2021-22 and the Harwood Champions League 2022, followed it up by defending their Elite Premier League title in the 2022-23 season and won the Nadkarni Cup 2023. Two doubles in two seasons meant Ambernath United Atlanta FC had already started making Mumbai football and were all set to represent Maharashtra in the Hero I-League 2.
The first four matches saw them win only once as they had 5 points from those games. The next four games were a litmus test and any slip would mean missing out on qualification for the final round. Cometh the hour, cometh the team and Ambernath United Atlanta FC passed the final hurdle with flying colours. They won both their home games against FC Goa Reserves and Dempo SC. Dempo SC was probably their best performance where they came back from 1-0 to win 3-1. The away travels had proved jittery last time but this time around they won six out of six points.
The season defining moment came in the 96th minute against ARA FC away from home when Shravan Shetty scored the winner, the most important goal in the club’s history. That goal sealed all three points and ensured qualification to the next round as Group D winners.
Now the final round beckons and the marathon begins its final stretch as four match days await each side. For Ambernath United Atlanta FC, the first two matches will be at home. The Cooperage Stadium is all set to host FC Bengaluru United this Thursday followed by a match against Shillong Lajong on Tuesday, 16th May 2023. Then the Maharashtra side travel on road first to West Bengal for a match against United SC and then to the Minerva Sports Complex to face Delhi FC.
Detailed fixtures are as below:
11 May 2023: Ambernath United Atlanta v FC Bengaluru United, Cooperage Ground, kickoff 4.30pm
16 May 2023: Ambernath United Atlanta v Shillong Lajong, Cooperage Ground, kickoff 4pm
21 May 2023: United SC v Ambernath United Atlanta, Kalyani Stadium, kickoff 4pm
26 May 2023: Delhi FC v Ambernath United Atlanta, Minerva Academy Ground, kickoff 4pm
Steven Dias has taken this team to a whole new level and that was demonstrated in the group stages when Ambernath United Atlanta FC came back from a goal down to grab wins or at least score a point. To back stat with actual numbers, 11 points of the total 17 were won from losing positions. That goes to show the character of the side as they never gave up until the last kick of the match. Can they make amends in the final round and qualify for the Hero I-League next season?
