Maidaan Master continues to ride a frustrating rollercoaster, narrowly missing out on international competition spots again. This season, they finished 7th—just one position short of the coveted top 6—and with it, a chance at the global stage. Fans and pundits alike are beginning to notice a pattern: when Maidaan Master has no international commitments, they thrive in the league. But balancing both seems to elude them, as they often fall just short in both arenas. Despite the disappointment, there were glimpses of progress.

Challengers Trophy Campaign
Drawn into Group 2 of the Challengers Trophy, Maidaan Master faced formidable opponents:
St. Pauli (Germany)
Game Jokers (Malaysia)
Mouse Guardian (Russia)
Against these sides, Maidaan Master had their moments. A 1-1 draw with Mouse Guardian opened the campaign, followed by a narrow 1-2 loss to the group favorites, St. Pauli. They then held the Game Jokers to a thrilling 2-2 draw and secured a resounding 4-1 victory over Mouse Guardian in the return leg. However, away losses to the heavyweights saw them finish the group with 5 points—enough to place 3rd ahead of Mouse Guardian but not enough to qualify for the knockout rounds.
“Though we couldn’t progress, the players showed fight,” remarked manager Darshan Shinde. “This experience will serve as a foundation for future campaigns.”

League Woes and Fixture Woes
Domestically, Maidaan Master’s league journey mirrored their frustrating inconsistency. Early in the season, they climbed as high as 2nd in the table, buoyed by a favorable run of fixtures. However, a grueling stretch of matches against the league’s top sides saw them slip down the standings. The final heartbreak came when they lost the fight for 6th place to Hertha Berlin, finishing 7th.
“It’s tough to digest,” said club captain Randall Rodriguez. “We gave it our all, but the timing of fixtures made it hard to maintain momentum.”

Ping-Ponging Between Success and Struggles
The inability to stabilize in the top 6 has created challenges for Shinde’s squad-building strategy. The need for a larger squad during international campaigns often leaves players without enough game time in years without international matches, leading to unrest. Shinde worked hard to manage the situation, rotating his squad and arranging numerous friendlies to keep the team sharp.
“I’ve had to get creative,” Shinde admitted. “Balancing youth development, keeping veterans happy, and staying competitive—it’s a juggling act. But we’re in this for the long haul.”

Positives to Build On
Despite the heartbreak, fans and analysts see reasons for hope:
Youth Development: Shinde’s commitment to giving young players chances in friendlies and cup matches continues to pay dividends.
Resilience: Holding their own in the Challengers Trophy group stage against stronger opponents shows the team’s potential.
“Darshan Shinde is the reason we’re even in this position,” said a senior club board member. “His vision and leadership have kept this club competitive. We’re confident he’ll guide us to stability in the seasons ahead.”

Fan Voices
“We’re so close every season—it’s heartbreaking, but we believe in Darshan!” – Liv Torgersen, season ticket holder
“Our squad needs to balance better, but Darshan’s knack for finding youth gems is our secret weapon.” – Per Gunnarsson, Norwegian FA representative

Looking Ahead
The next season promises another shot at cracking the top 6. With Shinde at the helm, Maidaan Master will be aiming to break free from the cycle of near-misses and finally cement their place among the elite.

As Shinde said in a post-season interview: “We’ve been knocking on the door. Next year, we kick it down.”