Under a partly cloudy Tuesday sky, the reigning first division champions of the MSSA inter-school football tournament, Don Bosco High School (Matunga), showcased their determination and prowess as they emerged victorious with a resounding 4-1 win against St Blaise High School (Andheri). The match, held at the St Francis D’Assisi ground in Borivli, was a testament to the tenacity and skill of the Bosco boys, led by their dynamic captain, Adair D’Souza.
Though Don Bosco began the match not at their fluent best, they proved to have plenty of ammunition to secure their place in the knockout stages, thanks to a stellar hat-trick by Adair D’Souza, and a crucial fourth goal by midfielder Keegan Peres in the closing stages of the game.
The early moments of the match saw Don Bosco taking an aggressive stance. In what was almost a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, Adair D’Souza struck within the first minute, setting a tempo that promised an exhilarating contest. Nevertheless, St Blaise did not back down. They held their ground firmly and managed to equalize, courtesy of a superb long-range strike by Prince Singh, who found the net in a spectacular fashion before the halftime whistle.
As the teams retreated to their respective locker rooms for the break, the score stood at an evenly poised 1-1. The equilibrium, however, did not last long once the second half commenced. Don Bosco returned to the pitch with renewed vigor and determination, evidently having regrouped and reassessed their strategy during the break.
The second half witnessed the Bosco boys turning the tide decisively in their favor. Adair D’Souza, the team’s captain, embodied leadership and excellence as he netted two more goals within the opening quarter after the resumption, thereby completing his hat-trick and solidifying his team’s lead. His performance was both a demonstration of individual brilliance and a reflection of a well-coordinated team effort.
As the match approached its final moments, Keegan Peres added the finishing touch by netting the fourth goal for Don Bosco, further widening the lead and ensuring an unassailable position. The final whistle blew with the scoreboard reading 4-1 in favor of Don Bosco, marking a well-deserved victory.
.
Also noteworthy was an earlier match involving the Don Bosco team from Borivli, which added another chapter of thrilling football to the day’s events. Facing Bombay Scottish (Powai), Don Bosco Borivli found themselves trailing after Ranit Senthilnathan gave the Scottish boys an early lead. However, displaying commendable resilience, Malekal D’Silva scored in the second half to level the match at 1-1 by the end of regulation time.
The match then proceeded to a nerve-wracking tie-breaker. Here, the Borivli squad exhibited steely nerves and precision, ultimately emerging 6-5 victors in the penalty shootout. Key contributions came from Cristiano Lewis, Reenesh Kotian, Aarav Kataria, Devesh Jadhav, and Aaryan Gomes, all of whom successfully converted their penalties. On the Scottish side, the penalties were converted by Ranit Senthilnathan, Akshai Shetty, Rian Sangam, and Aarush Bhattacharya, but their efforts fell just short.
Returning to the main event, Don Bosco Matunga’s triumphant performance against St Blaise is particularly significant as it demonstrates the depth and talent within the school’s football program. The seamless navigation from a potentially tight match to a commanding win is indicative of a team not only rich in individual talent but also effective in strategic execution.
The captain, Adair D’Souza, without a doubt, played a pivotal role, not just in scoring goals but also in uplifting the collective spirit of his team. His hat-trick will be remembered as a decisive factor in their success on this pivotal day.
As the Bosco boys advance in the tournament, their victory against St Blaise has set a high standard to maintain. The combination of strategic foresight from their coaching staff and the raw talent on the field promises to make Don Bosco High School a formidable contender in the upcoming rounds of the MSSA inter-school football tournament.
In this thrilling encounter filled with skillful play and tactical brilliance, Don Bosco High School once again demonstrated why they are the reigning champions, carving their way towards potentially repeating last season’s success.
