Under the floodlit grounds of St Francis D’Assisi in Borivli, a spirited display of football saw the Bombay Scottish (Mahim) under-16 team clinch the prestigious MSSA Ahmed Sailor Cup. Demonstrating unwavering determination and tactical brilliance, the team fought back from the jaws of defeat to secure a hard-earned 2-1 victory over a formidable Cathedral & John Connon (Fort) side on Wednesday. This triumph marks the Mahim school’s first silverware of the season, as their excitement and joy were vividly captured in the picture with the coveted cup, clicked by photographer Nimesh Dave.
The match commenced with a flurry of activity, as both teams tested each other’s defenses with cautious optimism. Cathedral & John Connon took an early lead just ten minutes into the match. Their captain, Rian Uniyal, confidently stepped up to convert a penalty, following a crucial incident that saw Scottish’s center-back Yashvir Shah receiving a red card for handling a ball destined for the net. This numerical disadvantage put extra pressure on the Bombay Scottish boys, as they worked tirelessly to reorganize their ranks and maintain discipline.
Despite being a man down and chasing a deficit, the Bombay Scottish team showcased remarkable resilience and composure. Throughout the remainder of the first half, they created a series of opportunities, pressing their opponents yet failing to level the score as the half-time whistle blew. This juncture demanded introspection, tactical re-evaluation, and a strong motivational uplift from their coach, Fahad Ansari.
The second half unfolded with the Bombay Scottish displaying more possession, driven by a renewed sense of urgency and belief. Their persistence finally bore fruit as the game approached its climax in the final ten minutes. The protagonist of this resurgence was winger Reuben Thomas, who emerged as the linchpin of Scottish’s attack. Seizing a moment of opportunity, Reuben adeptly maneuvered past Cathedral’s defenses to net the much-needed equalizer, breathing life back into the contest and bolstering the spirits of his teammates and supporters alike.
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Not content with merely leveling terms, Thomas continued to exert influence on the pitch, orchestrating a swift and incisive counterattack down the left flank. His pin-point assist found Yash Kapadia in an optimal position, who made no mistake in dispatching the ball into the net, sealing an electrifying comeback for the Mahim side with the decisive match-winning goal.
Reflecting on the thrilling encounter, coach Fahad Ansari expressed immense pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing the significant mental toughness displayed by his players. “What impressed me most is the character and the mentality shown by the boys. 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,” he shared in an exuberant post-match interview with mid-day.
In contrast, Cathedral & John Connon’s coach Jayesh Solanki attributed the defeat to the congested scheduling by MSSA, citing that five of his key players were drained from consecutive basketball matches leading into the final. “The fatigue factor played a huge role here, particularly in the second half. The organisers 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,” he lamented, voicing his concerns over the effects of over-scheduling on young athletes.
Meanwhile, in the contest for third place, Chatrabhuj Narsee School (Kandivli) overcame St Joseph Secondary (Orlem) in a nerve-racking penalty shootout, prevailing 5-3. Successful conversions by CNS players Aarav Naik, Samit Mandhare, Anirvinya Sarkar, Soham D’Mello, and Aritra Upadhyay ensured their victory, while Kaab Morriswala, Jess Bhobe, and Ibrahim Mohsin made their marks for Orlem during the shootout.
The palpable excitement and emotional highs of the day’s matches highlighted not only the talent and tenacity of these young players but also underscored the vital role coaching and proper scheduling play in nurturing their potential. As the dust settled on this memorable day, the echoes of triumph and lessons learned reinforced the essence of sportsmanship and dedication at the heart of school football.
