In an exhilarating clash at the St Francis D’Assisi ground in Borivli, Bombay Scottish (Mahim) U-16 side emerged as the champions of the prestigious MSSA Ahmed Sailor Cup, showcasing their resilience and strategic prowess against Cathedral & John Connon (Fort). The match, held on Wednesday, saw the Scottish lads demonstrate remarkable mental strength, bouncing back from an early setback to clinch a 2-1 victory—marking their first significant triumph of the season.
The tense encounter began with Cathedral & John Connon taking an early lead in the 10th minute, courtesy of a penalty successfully converted by their captain, Rian Uniyal. This opportunity arose when Bombay Scottish’s centre-back, Yashvir Shah, received a red card for a handball incident that foiled a goal-bound shot. Despite being down a player and trailing in score, the Mahim team maintained their composure and perseverance, determined to turn their fortunes around.
Throughout the first half, Bombay Scottish attempted to level the score, but their efforts yielded no fruit. However, the second half saw a shift in dynamics as the Scottish side dominated ball possession, meticulously executing their strategy under the guidance of their coach, Fahad Ansari. Scottish increased the pressure on Cathedral’s defense, looking for any opportunity to break through.
As the clock ticked, it was the dynamic Reuben Thomas who emerged as the pivotal force behind their comeback. With the final minutes of the game drawing near, Thomas not only delivered the equalizer but also set the stage for the winning goal. Demonstrating exceptional skill and vision, Thomas orchestrated a swift counterattack down the left flank, creating the perfect setup for his teammate Yash Kapadia, who deftly netted the decisive goal, sealing the 2-1 victory for his team.
Post-match, an elated Fahad Ansari lauded his players’ remarkable turnaround, emphasizing their mental fortitude and adept execution of game plans, despite the initial disadvantage. “What impressed me most is the character and the mentality shown by the boys,” he shared.
. “In the first half, we did not play well, but in the second, we executed our plans perfectly despite being a man down and a goal down.”
Conversely, the disappointment in the Cathedral camp was palpable, with their coach, Jayesh Solanki, expressing frustration over the scheduling of matches by the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA). Solanki pointed out that several of his key players were fatigue-stricken, having participated in consecutive basketball matches before the football final. “Five of our main players played back-to-back basketball matches before coming to this final. The fatigue factor played a huge role here, particularly in the second half,” lamented Solanki. “The organisers [MSSA] need to look at proper scheduling of these inter-school matches. It’s sad for these players as they have worked so hard to reach this final.”
In the third-place matchup earlier in the day, Chatrabhuj Narsee School (Kandivli) emerged victorious over St Joseph Secondary (Orlem) in a penalty shootout. The match ended 5-3 in favor of Chatrabhuj Narsee, with players Aarav Naik, Samit Mandhare, Anirvinya Sarkar, Soham D’Mello, and Aritra Upadhyay successfully converting their penalties. Orlem’s Kaab Morriswala, Jess Bhobe, and Ibrahim Mohsin also showcased their skills, but couldn’t outscore their opponents.
The Ahmed Sailor Cup final will be remembered not only for its nail-biting moments and sensational comeback but also for highlighting the tenacity and raw talent of young athletes determined to make their mark. With this victory, Bombay Scottish has solidified their position as one of the top contenders in the school’s football circuit, excitedly looking ahead to upcoming challenges and new opportunities to showcase their sporting spirit.
