In a thrilling match at the St Francis D’Assisi High School ground in Borivli, St Lawrence High School (Kandivli) showcased dominance by defeating St Dominic Savio High School (Andheri) with a staggering 4-0 scoreline in the boys’ under-16 Group A match of the MSSA inter-school football tournament on Tuesday. This victory not only cemented their place in the knockout phase but also underlined their readiness to challenge for the top honors.
Leading the charge for St Lawrence was their industrious striker Tanish Mahadik, who had an exceptional performance, scoring two remarkable goals and assisting Aditya Mishra for the third, orchestrating their offensive play with precision and flair.
The game kicked off with considerable intensity, as both teams were eager to take control. However, it was St Lawrence’s Rudra Kotkar who drew first blood in the 10th minute. Kotkar’s goal was the result of a well-coordinated maneuver, setting the tone for what would become an exhilarating match for the Kandivli-based side.
The St Dominic Savio defenders struggled to contain the high tempo and pressing game applied by St Lawrence. Despite their best efforts, the Andheri team found it challenging to build up play or create significant chances.
David D’Mello, the goalkeeper for St Dominic Savio High School, had a busy day and emerged as one of the few bright spots for his team. D’Mello demonstrated resilience and skill, making several crucial saves. He faced a relentless barrage of attacks and showed commendable reflexes, preventing the match from turning into a more lopsided affair.
As the first half progressed, Mahadik, with his impeccable positioning and relentless drive, capitalized on a defensive error to score his first goal. The goal further demoralized the St Dominic Savio side and gave St Lawrence the comfort of a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
The second half saw St Lawrence maintaining their dominance. Mahadik continued to torment the defense and soon added his second, illustrating his prowess as a forward. His alertness and quick footwork were too much for the opposing defenders to handle.
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In a show of exceptional teamwork, Mahadik then provided a sublime assist for Aditya Mishra, who calmly slotted home the third goal, effectively sealing the game. With the scoreline at 4-0, the match became a display of tactical precision and offensive efficiency by St Lawrence.
The final whistle blew, confirming St Lawrence’s third successive victory in the tournament, and ensuring their progression to the knockout rounds. Mahadik’s performance was pivotal, and his contribution was duly acknowledged by both his teammates and spectators.
In another riveting Group C encounter, St Stanislaus High School’s goalkeeper Jordan Kamble delivered an outstanding performance, ensuring his school held Don Bosco High School (Borivli) to a goalless draw. Kamble’s string of spectacular saves throughout the match, especially in the dying moments, was a masterclass in goalkeeping. His razor-sharp reflexes and unwavering focus under pressure were instrumental in keeping the scoreline intact.
Particularly memorable were his two crucial saves towards the end of the match. First, he made a full-stretch dive to his left to deny Dwayne Pereira’s powerful shot, which appeared destined for the net. Moments later, Kamble showcased his agility by swiftly moving to his right, thwarting a quick attempt from Reenesh Kotian.
Meanwhile, in the same group, St Paul’s High School (Dadar) celebrated their first win by defeating St Joseph’s High School (Wadala) with a score of 3-0. The scorers for St Paul’s were Manthan Walke, Harshit Sawant, and Aryan Arvandlkar, each contributing goals that showcased their offensive capabilities.
St Paul’s will face Don Bosco in their final group match, while St Stanislaus will go up against St Joseph’s. Both matches promise to be keenly contested as teams scramble for positions in the next round.
The MSSA inter-school football tournament continues to provide exciting and competitive football, with young talents rising to the occasion, much to the delight of the spectators. With knockout stages approaching, the onus will be on teams to bring their best game forward and stake their claim for the championship.
