In a display of sheer dominance and skill, the reigning champions Smt RSB Arya Vidya Mandir (Juhu) have successfully defended their Girls Under-16 First Division title in the MSSA inter-school football tournament. The final, held at the St Francis D’Assisi ground in Borivli, culminated in a resounding 4-0 victory over Bombay Scottish (Mahim). The championship match, played under challenging weather conditions, highlighted the tenacity and prowess of the AVM girls.
From the first whistle, AVM took control of the match, with striker Vamika Udeshi standing out by netting a brace. The remaining goals came from Radhika Vyas and Rhea Murudkar, whose contributions sealed the overwhelming victory for AVM. The girls from AVM swiftly settled into the game, breaking the deadlock as early as the seventh minute. This early breakthrough came courtesy of Vamika, who capitalized on a mistake by the Scottish goalkeeper Vanshika Reddy, who failed to properly collect a long through ball, allowing Vamika to make no mistake in putting it into the net.
The inclement weather and heavy ground conditions, resulting from intermittent rain, did not hinder AVM’s performance. The team showcased a seamless exchange of passes, demonstrating their superior teamwork. Skipper Stuti Kothari and Radhika Vyas controlled the midfield with precision, setting the rhythm for the game. The second goal soon followed, late in the first half, when Rhea Murudkar pounced on another defensive error from the Bombay Scottish side.
The AVM girls elevated their performance as the half-time whistle approached. Moments before the break, Radhika Vyas finished a well-crafted pass from Vamika, making it 3-0. After the game resumed, AVM continued to dominate the proceedings. Vamika rounded off the scoring with her second goal, this time from the right flank, finishing off a concerted effort led by Norah Bhattacharya through the center.
Reflecting on the match, AVM coach Desmond D’Souza expressed his delight with the team’s performance despite the challenging ground conditions.
. “I’m very happy with how my team played today, particularly given the tough ground conditions. I was confident of getting a positive result from this summit clash as we had studied our opposition well and executed our plans to counter their game plan,” stated D’Souza.
Acknowledging the superior play of their opponents, Bombay Scottish coach Abdulla Ansari admitted, “AVM are a really good team with technically sound players. We need to work on our tactical aspects.” Ansari’s acknowledgment underscores the high level of skill and preparation exhibited by the AVM team.
Earlier in the day, the battle for third place was fiercely contested between the two affiliations of Rustomjee Cambridge. The Dahisar branch emerged victorious over their Thane counterparts with a 2-0 scoreline. Goals from Naomi Soans and captain Harshini Iyer secured the third spot for Rustomjee Cambridge (Dahisar).
The scene at the St Francis D’Assisi ground was electric, with fans cheering on their teams despite the rain-soaked conditions. The AVM girls executed their strategies with clinical precision, illustrating why they remain the champions in this category. From well-coordinated ball control to swift counterattacks, AVM’s style of play left little room for their opponents to counter.
The orchestrated moves by AVM during the match were a testament to their rigorous preparation and understanding of game tactics. Coach D’Souza’s emphasis on countering the opposition’s game plan paid dividends, as highlighted by the ease with which his team dismantled Bombay Scottish’s defenses.
In conclusion, the decisive 4-0 victory not only cements AVM’s standing as formidable champions in the MSSA girls U-16 Division-I but also exemplifies their unwavering commitment to excellence in school-level sports. The team’s ability to adapt to challenging conditions and execute their strategies effectively sets a benchmark for aspiring footballers. For the AVM girls, this victory is a testament to their hard work, skill, and the indomitable spirit of teamwork.
