In an intense and thrilling road to the final, Bombay Scottish, Mahim, has clinched their spot in the boys’ under-16 Division I final of the MSSA inter-school football tournament. The team achieved a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Cambridge, Kandivli in the semi-final match held at the St Francis D’Assisi football ground in Borivli on Monday. This win sets up a climactic showdown with Don Bosco, Matunga—a challenge the team eagerly anticipates.
Yesterday’s semi-final clash was a display of grit and determination. Despite being the better team throughout much of the match, Bombay Scottish had moments where it appeared they could elevate their play, especially in the second half. The match witnessed a turning point early on, when, in the ninth minute, a Cambridge defender inadvertently scored an own-goal off a free-kick taken by Raghav Kanodia, Bombay Scottish’s influential captain. This unfortunate error provided an early advantage to Bombay Scottish, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
The reigning champions, Don Bosco, Matunga, have already displayed their prowess by overcoming St Stanislaus, Bandra, in the first semi-final through a penalty shootout last week. As the two teams gear up for the final clash, the reigning champions will face a formidable opponent in Bombay Scottish—fresh off a confidence-boosting triumph.
Raghav Kanodia, a crucial presence in the midfield, played a pivotal role in securing the win. Following the own-goal, he struck again with a mesmerising long-range shot, doubling the lead and leaving the Cambridge goalkeeper helpless. His penchant for taking control of the game and dictating play was evident, and this performance underscores his importance to the team’s ambitions of clinching the title.
For Cambridge, the match was a tale of missed opportunities and shattered hopes. Despite going two goals down by halftime, they showed promising spells of play and created several chances. Their performance suggested potential and bright moments, yet they struggled to capitalise on these opportunities, often falling short in their finishing.
Cambridge entered the game with high hopes and quickly saw their aspirations dampened by the early own goal.
. The free-kick by Raghav was expertly executed, curling into a dangerous area that pressured the Cambridge defence into a costly mistake. As the match unfolded, it became clear that Bombay Scottish’s midfield, led by Kanodia, controlled the rhythm and tempo, making it challenging for Cambridge to mount a meaningful comeback.
By halftime, Bombay Scottish firmly held their 2-0 lead, largely attributable to their captain’s brilliance and the defensive lapses of their opponents. Despite their best efforts in the second half, Cambridge couldn’t breach Bombay Scottish’s well-organised defence. They managed to carve out a few attacking ventures but found it challenging to finish, an area they will need to address moving forward.
As the final whistle blew, it was evident that Bombay Scottish had earned their place in the MSSA U-16 Division I final through a combination of tactical acumen, solid defending, and inspirational moments of individual brilliance. The win sets them up for an eagerly awaited final against Don Bosco, Matunga.
The storyline for the final is compelling. On one side stands Don Bosco, the defending champions, who have shown resilience and nerve, especially in their penalty shootout victory. On the other, Bombay Scottish, buoyed by their recent triumph and led by the talismanic Raghav Kanodia, are raring to challenge the status quo.
Football enthusiasts and the school communities await what promises to be an exhilarating final. Both teams have demonstrated skill, tenacity, and a flair for the dramatic, setting the stage for a memorable conclusion to the MSSA inter-school football tournament. As the teams prepare for the ultimate showdown, all eyes will be on Raghav Kanodia and his ability to inspire Bombay Scottish to potentially dethrone the reigning champions.
For Cambridge, despite the loss, there remain positives and lessons to take from this campaign. Their journey showcased their capability to compete at high levels, and with a bit more clinical finishing, they could very well find themselves in similar positions in future tournaments.
As anticipation builds towards the final, one thing is certain—the clash between Bombay Scottish and Don Bosco, Matunga, will be a battle of skill, strategy, and sheer willpower, with both teams vying for top honours in the MSSA U-16 Division I football tournament.
