Holy Cross High School (Kurla) and Hiranandani Foundation School (Powai) kicked off their boys under-16 second division campaign in the MSSA inter-school football tournament with convincing wins at the St Francis D’Assisi ground in Borivli on Tuesday. Both teams exhibited commendable skills and determination to secure their respective victories, making a promising start to the tournament.
Holy Cross faced off against SVKM JV Parekh International School and emerged victorious with a scoreline of 2-1. Despite squandering several goal-scoring opportunities, Holy Cross had little difficulty in overcoming their opponents. The Kurla outfit’s goals were netted by Furqan Ansari and Dwayne Dias, ensuring their win. JV Parekh managed to pull one back through substitute Shaunak Hirani in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.
In the other match of the day, Hiranandani Foundation showcased their dominance over Maneckji Cooper School, securing a comfortable 2-0 victory. Leading by a solitary goal at half-time, Hiranandani Foundation didn’t face much resistance from Maneckji Cooper. Midfielders Ridhaan Hiran and substitute Hridhaan Kahate found the back of the net, sealing the win for their team.
The match between Holy Cross and JV Parekh was notable for its dynamic pace and skillful play. Holy Cross took an early lead, courtesy of a fourth-minute goal from Furqan Ansari. The team continued to press forward, doubling their advantage just before the fifteen-minute mark. Despite enjoying a brief spell of possession, JV Parekh couldn’t mount a meaningful challenge to the Holy Cross defense and was restricted to shots from distance.
Coming into the second half, JV Parekh made some strategic changes, one of which included bringing on Shaunak Hirani, who made an immediate impact by scoring a brilliant goal. However, that was as close as they would get, as Holy Cross tightened up their defense and successfully thwarted any further threats from their opponents.
.
The match highlighted Holy Cross’s offensive prowess as well as some areas needing improvement, particularly in terms of converting chances into goals. The team missed a plethora of scoring opportunities that could have easily widened the gap between them and their opponents. Nevertheless, their ability to control the game and dictate the pace is a positive takeaway for future matches.
On the other hand, Hiranandani Foundation’s match against Maneckji Cooper School was a display of tactical discipline and efficient gameplay. With Ridhaan Hiran opening the scoring in the first half, Hiranandani Foundation maintained a solid defensive setup that never looked in danger of being breached. As the game wore on, they capitalized on another opportunity with substitute Hridhaan Kahate adding a second goal to put the result beyond doubt.
Hiranandani Foundation’s performance was marked by their ability to control the midfield and transition swiftly from defense to attack. Their organized structure and patient build-up play prevented Maneckji Cooper from gaining any significant foothold in the match. The defensive solidity and creative midfield work will serve as a strong foundation for their upcoming games.
Both Holy Cross and Hiranandani Foundation will be looking to carry this winning momentum forward as they progress through the tournament. Their performances in the opening matches have set a high benchmark for their peers, and they will be teams to watch in the upcoming rounds of the MSSA inter-school football tournament.
In conclusion, the day belonged to Holy Cross and Hiranandani Foundation schools, whose impressive wins have given them a head start in their tournament quest. Both teams demonstrated qualities that could see them go far in the competition—resilience, tactical astuteness, and a knack for seizing crucial moments. As the tournament progresses, it will be intriguing to see how they build on these victories and what strategies they employ to maintain their competitive edge.
