In a thrilling display of young talent and competitive spirit, St Aloysius (Gorai) emerged victorious against CNM High School (Vile Parle) to claim the highly coveted MSSA boys U-12 Div-III inter-school football title. The match took place at the iconic Azad Maidan on Tuesday, providing spectators with a gripping encounter that swung back and forth before culminating in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The action began almost immediately, with CNM’s Vansh Sankhla giving his team the lead in the second minute with a remarkable shot that nestled into the top left corner of the net. The Malad school’s supporters erupted in cheers, anticipating a strong showing from their team. However, the lead was short-lived. Just eight minutes later, St Aloysius’ Saran Gaiba responded with an equally impressive goal, skillfully lobbing the ball over CNM’s goalkeeper, Parv Mehta, to bring the score to 1-1.
The evenly matched teams battled fiercely throughout the first half, each vying to break the deadlock. After the halftime break, CNM seemed to gain the upper hand, orchestrating several promising moves that threatened to tip the balance in their favor. Despite their best efforts, they could not get past St Aloysius’s goalkeeper, Godric Manaji, who stood resolute between the posts. Godric proved to be a formidable barrier, making two critical saves in the 36th and 38th minutes, ensuring the match extended into a shootout.
As the tie-breaker began, the tension at Azad Maidan was palpable. CNM’s Vihaan Shroff was among those stepping up to the spot, aiming to give his school the lead. Yet, Godric once again rose to the occasion, denying Vihaan’s attempt and setting St Aloysius on the path to victory. CNM managed to convert two of their spot-kicks, courtesy of Vansh and Pashan Golimar. However, it was the precision under pressure from St Aloysius’s shooters — Jake Kinny, Bariyon Caskar, Saran, and Zaniel Zolar — that ultimately clinched their historic 5-3 win.
This triumph marks St Aloysius’ first MSSA football title, a significant achievement considering last year’s early exit during the pre-quarterfinals of the same tournament.
. The team and their supporters celebrated joyously on the field, a reflection of their hard work and determination finally paying off.
In another dramatic contest on the same day, Dr. Antonio D’Silva School (Dadar) secured third place by overcoming St Francis ICSE (Borivli) with a 6-4 victory via penalties. St Francis initially scored through Advay Nambudiri and Davin Pereria in the 19th and 25th minutes, respectively. Still, Antonio D’Silva’s resilience came through, with Aarush Samant and Tanmay Shindhe evening the score to 2-2 before the final whistle. In the subsequent shootout, Devansh Gade, Aarush, Riyan Jadhav, and Swaroop Yewale found the back of the net for Antonio D’Silva, while only Dwait Moily and Adonis Stanley managed to convert for St Francis.
Sundar BT, the ebullient coach of St Aloysius, expressed his immense pride and joy following the win. “This victory is a monumental achievement for our school,” he enthused. “It reflects our dedication to promoting sporting excellence among our students. We hope this encourages more children to engage actively in sports,” he added with an optimistic glance towards the future.
Adding another feather to their caps, St Aloysius, alongside CNM High School and Dr. Antonio D’Silva, have all earned promotion to Division-II next season, highlighting their excellent performances and competitiveness throughout the tournament.
The spirited encounters at Azad Maidan underscore the vital role school-level competitions play in nurturing and showcasing young talent in sports. The matches not only provide an opportunity for students to hone their skills but also teach them invaluable life lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. The 2023 MSSA boys U-12 Div-III football tournament will undoubtedly be remembered for its thrilling matches and the emergence of bright, promising talents who could light up the future of football in the region.
