In an exciting display of youth football, Rustomjee Cambridge (Dahisar) clinched the third place in the MSSA girls under-16 Division-I tournament by defeating their counterpart team from Thane 2-0. Notable performances by Naomi Soans and captain Harshini Iyer led to an exhilarating win as each netted a goal, cementing their standings and bringing pride to their school.
On the backdrop of this success came an even more thrilling defensive title win by the reigning champions, Smt RSB Arya Vidya Mandir (AVM), who displayed a dominant performance against Bombay Scottish (Mahim) in the finals of the MSSA inter-school football tournament. Taking place at the St Francis D’Assisi ground in Borivli, the AVM girls triumphed with a commanding 4-0 victory.
A key player in AVM’s win was striker Vamika Udeshi, whose brace established a solid offensive lead early in the game. Vamika’s sharp instincts and effective positioning made her a constant threat to Bombay Scottish’s defensive lineup, opening the scoring in just the seventh minute when their goalkeeper, Vanshika Reddy, mishandled a long through ball, leading to a clinical finish from Vamika.
The influential Radhika Vyas and Rhea Murudkar added to AVM’s goal tally, each managing to find the back of the net, thereby ensuring a comprehensive victory. Radhika, known for her composure and vision in midfield, played a pivotal role in maintaining control over the game while Rhea capitalized on defensive lapses by Bombay Scottish to increase the margin of victory.
Despite the heavy ground conditions due to intermittent rain, AVM’s cohesion and synergy were evident. Their neat exchanges and fluid passing demonstrated their technical prowess, with captain Stuti Kothari and Radhika Vyas orchestrating the mid-field with excellence. This coordination was visibly clear when Rhea doubled their lead late in the first half, exploiting another error from the Scottish defense.
Just moments before the half-time whistle, a well-timed pass from Vamika found Radhika, who efficiently scored to make it 3-0, further asserting AVM’s supremacy on the field.
On the resumption of the second half, AVM showed no signs of slowing down. Vamika rounded off a precision drive from the right, benefiting from the hard work and an incisive play by Norah Bhattacharya down the center.
. This fourth and final goal capped off a stellar team performance and ensured their successful defense of the title.
“I’m very happy with how my team played today, particularly given the tough ground conditions. I was confident of getting a positive result from this summit clash as we had studied our opposition well and executed our plans to counter their game plan,” said AVM coach Desmond D’Souza. His strategic acumen clearly paid off, as his team not only claimed victory but did so with an assertive display that highlighted their technical skills and teamwork.
Bombay Scottish coach, Abdulla Ansari, graciously acknowledged the superiority of their opponents, commenting, “AVM are a really good team with technically sound players. We need to work on our tactical aspects.” It was a candid admission that underscored the comprehensive nature of AVM’s performance and the areas where Scottish needed to improve.
Rustomjee Cambridge’s third-place playoff win earlier in the day added another layer of excitement to the tournament. Naomi Soans and Harshini Iyer played crucial roles, each registering a goal to secure a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Rustomjee Cambridge’s Thane team. This showcase of emerging talent and competitive spirit highlighted the depth of skill and potential within the MSSA girls U-16 Division-I league.
As the tournament concluded, the Smt RSB Arya Vidya Mandir players celebrated their triumph, encapsulating a day marked by competitive spirit, individual brilliance, and team unity. The successful defense of their title was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff and set a high benchmark for future contests in the MSSA inter-school football tournaments.
In retrospect, not only did the AVM girls solidify their status as reigning champions, but they also provided a thrilling football spectacle that will be remembered by fans and participants alike. This year’s MSSA U-16 Division-I tournament, with its highs and lows, fierce competition, and moments of brilliance, has undoubtedly contributed to the nurturing and development of young football talents.
