Unable to recover from two early strikes, Stanislaus, Bandra had to be content with second place as Don Bosco, Matunga wrapped up the summit crown of MSSA silverware – the Boys u-16 ‘A’ Championship – in style at MSSA Sports ground in Azad Maidan.
With both teams unbeaten going into the final round of play-off games it was only fitting that the fiercest of school rivalries would prove to be the championship decider.
Must-win Scenario
The onus was on Stanislaus coming into the fixture considering that they were facing a must-win scenario in order to clinch the title – on account of Don Bosco’s superior goal difference in the play-off standings.
Three minutes is all it took for the game to come alive. With both sets of players still tring to find their feet in the game, Bosco found the net for the first time courtesy of a strike that took everybody – the players and spectators alike – by surprise.
Cross? Shot? Goal!
As Adnan Khan whipped in what seemed like a harmless cross from the right wing, Stanislaus keeper Sheldon Raghuvan was in for a nasty surprise and rendered helpless as the ball sailed over the entire length of the goal frame and went in off the far post. Goal. 1-0 to the Bosco boys!
Stanislaus’ woes were doubled in the 7th minute as Don Bosco scored their second of the game five minutes later. Lanky striker Scott D’Souza was first on the ball inside a crowded penalty area as a cross was floated in from the flank. From three yards out, he made no mistake and dispatched the ball into the back of the net with effortless ease. Goal! 2-0.
Physical contest
As expected, there was no love lost between the two sides and referee Bhatena had already brandished two yellow cards by the 10th minute.
Despite neither team taking control of the game, the psychological blow for Stanislaus after being two goals down was evident as the boys almost let in a third. Bosco midfielders Harold Fernandes and Ian D’Souza unleashed back-to-back strikes on goal, denied by some last-ditch defending by the Stanislaus back four.
On his personal performance
"I would not rate myself all that highly today.I have played better inthe previous games. Today would be a 40 out of 100"
On his team's overall season "We have played ten games in all this season. And I have played everyone of those games here at the MSSA. We knew that we had one of the best teams this season - but we let our results do the talking rather than being over-confident."
On the crowd support
"We always have a lot of fans during our games. Excellent support. They have a lot of faith in us and believed that we would win."
On his future ambitions "I am doing a lot of hardwork now to work towards my goals. I want to play for India. Be part of the national team.And hopefully play get an opportunity to play abroad "
