The Malwani-based St Anthony’s School has been cleared of allegations regarding fielding overage players, as decreed by the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA). Despite the cloud of uncertainty, the young footballers showcased remarkable grit by defeating Thakur Public School in a nail-biting tie-breaker to secure their place in the finals.
The robust under-16 Division-III semi-final match took place at the St Francis D’Assisi ground in Borivli on Tuesday evening. The St Anthony’s boys were visibly burdened with news earlier that morning. Their quarter-final victory over Don Bosco International (Matunga) had been contested, the latter lodging a formal protest with the MSSA, alleging that five of the Malwani players exceeded the age limit. MSSA’s Hon Joint Secretary, Joseph Monteiro, conducted a thorough review and ultimately issued a clean chit to the accused school, upholding the validity of their player registrations.
Undeterred by the initial shock and the heavy pressure of public scrutiny, St Anthony’s players demonstrated remarkable resilience. The team edged out their formidable opponents, Thakur Public School, by a 3-2 margin in a crucial tie-breaker, thereby securing their advancement to the finals. The team manager, Ronnie D’Souza, who is also the proprietor of UK United Sports Academy, expressed mixed emotions after the match. “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,” said D’Souza. Remarkably, he only began coaching the school’s football teams across various age groups a month ago.
Coach Prince Anandaraj also echoed his sentiments, proud of how the boys rose above their emotional turmoil. He remarked, “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.
.” Monteiro backed these claims, stating that after careful examination of the St Anthony’s extensive 18-player roster, each player was found to be compliant with the MSSA age regulation as evidenced by the school’s General Register.
The game itself was a tense, goalless encounter that kept spectators on edge. The climax arrived when St Anthony’s midfielder, Daksh Koli, stepped in as an impromptu goalkeeper and made three crucial saves in the tie-breaker. It was a gamble that paid off spectacularly as his team clinched their much-needed victory. St Anthony’s will now face D G Khetan (Malad) in the finals later this week, a challenge they are more than prepared to meet head-on.
The tie-breaker was a testament to focus and finesse. Daksh Koli, Manas Supugade, and Devesh Koli were successful in their attempts for St Anthony’s. On the other hand, only Arnav Singh and Kush Kokate managed to score for Thakur Public School. The intense back-and-forth of the tie-breaker highlighted the skills and determination of the young athletes, who remained focused despite the psychological strain caused by the earlier protest.
Monteiro, addressing the incident, added, “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.” This official stance by MSSA articulated the fairness upheld by the sport’s governing body, providing the much-needed clarity.
In summation, the St Anthony’s boys, under the astute management of Ronnie D’Souza and the tactical proficiency of Prince Anandaraj, have turned a moment of potential scandal into an inspiring story of perseverance and sportsmanship. Their journey to the finals, though marred by controversy, stands as a beacon of their determination and integrity. Today’s victory is a narrative not just of triumph on the field, but also of the spirit to overcome unfounded allegations and rise above aspersions cast upon their dedication.
With eyes set on the forthcoming finale against D G Khetan, the team continues to represent not just a school, but a testament to the power of resilience and the truth’s ultimate victory. As St Anthony’s prepares for the decisive match later this week, they carry forward the lessons and strength gleaned from this unforgettable semi-final clash.
