In a pulsating match of the MSSA inter-school football tournament held at the St Francis D’Assisi ground in Borivli on Wednesday, St Xavier’s High School (Mira Road) managed to snatch a dramatic late equaliser against Dr S Radhakrishnan (Malad), ensuring a 1-1 draw. The thrilling encounter showcased the tenacity and skill of both teams as they battled for crucial points in a third division league match.
The match began with high intensity, as both sides displayed remarkable energy and athleticism. Dr S Radhakrishnan’s side showed early promise with coordinated attacks and tight defense. The breakthrough came swiftly in the 14th minute when Yash Vishwakarma of Dr S Radhakrishnan capitalized on a perfectly executed free-kick from Josiah Chettiar. Vishwakarma’s impeccable timing and precision allowed him to head the ball into the net, igniting celebrations among his teammates.
Despite the early setback, St Xavier’s High School did not lose their composure. The team from Mira Road regrouped and focused on counter-attacking football, attempting to penetrate Radhakrishnan’s solid defense. The first half bore witness to several attempts from St Xavier’s, but they found it challenging to convert those into goals as Dr S Radhakrishnan goalkeeper and defenders remained resolute.
As the second half commenced, the urgency began to mount for St Xavier’s. They intensified their attacks, creating numerous opportunities, yet struggled to find the finishing touch. With the clock running down, it appeared that Dr S Radhakrishnan would walk away with a narrow victory. However, the relentless pressure from St Xavier’s finally paid off in the dying moments of the match.
In a dramatic turn of events just before the final whistle, a goalmouth melee ensued within Dr S Radhakrishnan’s penalty area. The ball bounced around amidst a chaotic scramble, and it was Asil Mujawar who exhibited remarkable presence of mind and agility to tap the ball into the net, ensuring the spoils were shared.
. The equalizer brought a sigh of relief and celebration for St Xavier’s, showcasing their never-say-die spirit.
Earlier in the day, the grounds of St Francis D’Assisi saw a series of exciting matches. Navy Children School (Colaba) delivered a stunning performance with a resounding 10-0 victory over Ryan International School (Chembur). The match was a display of attacking prowess from Navy Children, as Yatharth Bhatt, Nameesh Shah, and Himanshu Kumar each scored twice. Contributions also came from Yuvraj Gahlot, Arun Parmar, and Devraj Gupta, along with an unfortunate own goal by Ryan International.
Another notable match featured Thakur Public School (Kandivli) securing a 2-0 win against St Francis ICSE. Aryan Bongane and Aadi Tembulkar were the heroes for Thakur Public, finding the back of the net and ensuring a well-deserved victory for their team.
Furthermore, St Anthony’s School (Malwani) demonstrated their dominance by defeating St Joseph’s (Juhu) with a 3-0 scoreline. The Koli trio – Christiano, Krish, and Daksh – each contributed a goal, ensuring a comfortable win for St Anthony’s and highlighting their scoring capabilities.
The MSSA inter-school football tournament continues to be a showcase for budding talent and sportsmanship. The competitive spirit exhibited by the young players promises an exciting season ahead. With several matches still to be played, teams will be looking to gather as many points as possible to climb the standings.
The thrilling contests of the day, especially the dramatic 1-1 draw between St Xavier’s High School and Dr S Radhakrishnan, underline the unpredictable nature of the tournament and the excitement it brings to players and supporters alike. As the teams prepare for their next matches, the stage is set for more thrilling football action in the coming days at the MSSA inter-school tournament.
