In an electrifying display of under-16 boys’ football, St Lawrence High School (Kandivli) maintained their impressive winning form, defeating St Dominic Savio High School (Andheri) with a resounding 4-0 victory. The match, held at the St Francis D’Assisi High School ground in Borivli, saw several standout performances, particularly from industrious striker Tanish Mahadik.
Mahadik, playing an instrumental role in the St Lawrence attack, netted two goals and assisted the third, highlighting his significance to the team’s offense. His determination and skill set an unassailable pace for St Lawrence, who are now on the brink of securing a spot in the boys’ under-16 Division-I knockout stage of the MSSA inter-school football tournament.
The match began with great intensity, with Rudra Kotkar opening the scoreline for St Lawrence in just the 10th minute. Kotkar’s early goal set the tone, allowing his team to control the tempo of the game. The goal invigorated St Lawrence, who seemed unstoppable as they sought to extend their lead. Mahadik then took centre stage, using his agility and strategic positioning to extend the lead further. His two goals showcased not only his personal talent but also the cohesive play of the entire St Lawrence squad.
One of the pivotal moments of the second half saw Mahadik providing a deceptive assist to teammate Aditya Mishra, who tapped in the third goal, thus driving the nail into the coffin for St Dominic Savio. Despite their best efforts, Dominic Savio’s defenders struggled to keep pace with the relentless attacks. Goalkeeper David D’Mello was in fine form, despite conceding four goals. His valiant efforts in goal, including several critical saves, prevented the match from becoming an even more lopsided affair.
St Lawrence’s dominance on the field was clear, and their third successive win was a testament to their growing confidence and strategic prowess. They now look forward to the knockout stage with a renewed sense of vigour, hopeful to replicate their successes and maintain their unbeaten run.
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Elsewhere in the tournament, another match saw St Stanislaus High School (Bandra) and Don Bosco High School (Borivli) clash in a goalless draw in a Group C encounter. This match was characterized by strong defensive performances, particularly from St Stanislaus goalkeeper Jordan Kamble. Kamble’s quick reflexes and agility were on full display as he made several crucial saves to keep the scores level.
In one of the most thrilling moments in the dying minutes, Kamble dived fully to his left to parry a powerful shot from Dwayne Pereira. Moments later, he was called into action again, swiftly moving to his right to block Reenesh Kotian’s shot from close range. His heroics ensured that St Stanislaus secured a point from the encounter, demonstrating the significance of a strong defensive line in competitive football.
In another match of the day, St Paul’s High School (Dadar) recorded their first win of the tournament, overcoming St Joseph’s High School (Wadala) with a 3-0 scoreline. Goals came from Manthan Walke, Harshit Sawant, and Aryan Arvandlkar, each adding their flair to the team’s maiden victory. The win has bolstered their confidence as they prepare for their concluding group match against Don Bosco.
The overall standings now see Don Bosco and St Stanislaus tied with four points each, poised for their final group matches which could be decisive in determining their playoff fate. Don Bosco is set to face St Paul’s, while St Stanislaus will take on St Joseph’s in what promises to be another day of thrilling football action.
As the tournament progresses towards the knockout stages, the intensity and competitiveness are sure to ramp up. Teams such as St Lawrence High School, bolstered by the stellar performance of players like Tanish Mahadik, exemplify the spirit and talent present in the MSSA inter-school football tournament. The coming matches will undoubtedly bring more excitement, closer contests, and showcase the emerging football talents of tomorrow.
The MSSA tournament continues to be a significant platform for young footballers to display their skills and sportsmanship, fostering a competitive yet fair environment for budding athletes across Mumbai’s schools.
