In a dramatic turn of events, St. Anthony’s High School (Malwani) surged ahead in the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) U-16 Division-III semi-finals against Thakur Public School (Kandivli). The boys of St. Anthony’s displayed remarkable perseverance and focus, casting aside any doubts about their eligibility raised earlier that morning. On Tuesday evening, at the St. Francis D’Assisi ground, Borivli, the match culminated in a nail-biting 3-2 victory through a tie-breaker.
Earlier in the day, unsettling news hit St. Anthony’s camp. Don Bosco International (Matunga), still smarting from their 2-1 defeat in the quarter-finals, lodged an official protest alleging that St. Anthony’s had fielded five overage players in that match. This accusation could have thrown any team into disarray, but MSSA’s Hon. Joint Secretary Joseph Monteiro meticulously examined St. Anthony’s records and subsequently issued a clean chit, confirming that all players complied with age regulations.
Ronnie D’Souza, the team manager of St. Anthony’s and owner of the UK United Sports Academy, expressed relief and shared insights post-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,” he said. Enthusiasm and determination were palpable as the boys leaned into the pressure, transforming it into motivation to clinch their spot in the finals.
St. Anthony’s coach, Prince Anandaraj, also from the UK United Sports Academy, mirrored D’Souza’s sentiments. Beaming with pride, he lauded his players for their 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,” Anandaraj asserted.
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Monteiro, who had spearheaded the investigation, was unequivocal in his stance. “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,” he clarified.
With the administrative turbulence behind them, the encounter on the pitch was no less intense. The semi-final clash ended scoreless in regular time, setting the stage for a contentious tie-breaker. St. Anthony’s goalkeeper for the shootout, midfielder Daksh Koli, emerged as the hero. Donning the goalkeeper’s gloves, he made three crucial saves that made all the difference, enabling his team to secure a place in the finals.
The high-stakes tie-breaker saw Daksh Koli, Manas Supugade, and Devesh Koli on target for St. Anthony’s, while only Arnav Singh and Kush Kokate succeeded for Thakur Public School. Each goal brought a surge of hope and pressure, adding layers to this thrilling finish.
Reflecting on the protest and subsequent clearance, D’Souza remarked on the emotional roller-coaster experienced by the team. “Every team has a right to protest, but we are glad that in the end, truth prevailed.” For St. Anthony’s, this match was not just about moving to the finals; it was about validating their ethical stance and teamwork under scrutiny.
Meanwhile, MSSA’s handling of the protest underscores the importance of transparency and fairness in school sports. Monteiro’s thorough cross-verification of St. Anthony’s records has set a precedent, assuring that all participating teams have zero doubt about the adherence to age regulations, fostering a spirit of fairness in the competition.
With the shadow of doubt lifted, St. Anthony’s looks forward to their upcoming final against D G Khetan (Malad) later this week, reinforced by the boost of emerging unscathed from controversy. From their coaches to players, the collective resilience showcased will undoubtedly fortify them as they chase the championship.
As the St. Anthony’s boys prepare for the grand finale, their journey stands as a testament to the power of integrity, teamwork, and unyielding spirit—key elements that have already scripted a memorable chapter in this inter-school tournament.
