In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday evening, St Anthony’s School (Malwani) emerged victorious in their MSSA inter-school U-16 Division-III semi-final clash against Thakur Public School (Kandivli), despite facing substantial pressure from a protest filed earlier in the day. The match, which took place at the St Francis D’Assisi ground in Borivli, concluded with a thrilling 3-2 victory for St Anthony’s via a tie-breaker, securing their place in the finals.
Earlier in the day, the team received unsettling news that Don Bosco International (Matunga), their opponents whom they had defeated 2-1 in the quarter-finals, had lodged a formal protest with the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA). The protest alleged that St Anthony’s fielded five overage players in the quarter-final match held on Monday. This unexpected development cast a shadow over the team, raising doubts about their victory and integrity.
However, MSSA’s Hon Joint Secretary, Joseph Monteiro, swiftly conducted a thorough review of the records at St Anthony’s School. Upon inspection, he found no discrepancies and confirmed that all players fielded in the match were within the prescribed age limits. This ruling provided St Anthony’s School with a clean chit, allowing them to proceed to the semi-finals with their heads held high.
Undeterred by the controversy, the St Anthony’s team displayed remarkable composure and determination. The team manager, Ronnie D’Souza, described the protest as a galvanizing force for his players. “We got to know about the protest this morning and were surprised and disappointed as it placed a doubt on our integrity. But fortunately for us, it charged up my boys. They took it as a challenge and were determined to win. Every team has a right to protest, but we are glad that in the end, truth prevailed,” D’Souza, who had only recently started coaching St Anthony’s football teams, told mid-day after the match.
St Anthony’s coach, Prince Anandaraj, also from the UK United Sports Academy, echoed D’Souza’s sentiments, expressing pride in his team’s resilience. “It was amazing to see the boys fight for every ball despite this rather unnecessary protest that hurt them. All my boys are within the prescribed age group.
. There is not an iota of doubt in this matter,” said Anandaraj.
MSSA’s Joseph Monteiro, who had personally investigated the allegations, reiterated the legitimacy of St Anthony’s team. “After receiving the protest letter this morning, I went and checked the documentation at St Anthony’s school. Though the protest was about five specific players, I checked the entire 18-member line-up and found that every player falls within the prescribed age limit as per the school’s General Register,” Monteiro confirmed.
The match itself was a closely contested affair, with both teams exhibiting commendable skill and sportsmanship. The regulation time ended in a goalless draw, leading to a nerve-wracking tie-breaker. St Anthony’s midfielder, Daksh Koli, took on an unexpected role as the goalkeeper during the penalty shootout. His performance was nothing short of heroic, as he made three crucial saves to secure victory for his team.
In the tie-breaker, Daksh Koli, Manas Supugade, and Devesh Koli were on target for St Anthony’s, while Thakur Public School’s Arnav Singh and Kush Kokate managed to score from the spot. Their efforts, however, were not enough to overcome the resolute St Anthony’s defense.
Looking ahead, St Anthony’s will face D G Khetan (Malad) later this week in the final. The team enters the final round with renewed confidence and a sense of justice served. “We are looking forward to the final. The boys have proved their mettle today, and we are ready for whatever challenge comes next,” stated D’Souza, optimistic about their chances.
This match, marked by its high stakes and emotional intensity, highlighted the indomitable spirit of young athletes who rose above a cloud of doubt to clinch a well-deserved victory. As the St Anthony’s boys gear up for the final showdown, they carry with them the lessons of perseverance, integrity, and the unwavering belief that truth and hard work ultimately prevail.
