Josiah Noronha’s brace proved to the difference as St Stanislaus (Bandra) knocked out defending champions Campion (Fort) in the semi-finals of the MSSA Division-I U-16 football
Josiah Noronha of St Stanislaus (right) celebrates after scoring against Campion in U-16 semis at Cooperage yesterday.
Josiah Noronha’s brace proved to the difference as St Stanislaus (Bandra) knocked out defending champions Campion (Fort) in the semi-finals of the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) Division-I U-16 inter-school football tournament held at the Cooperage ground yesterday.
Josiah Noronha of St Stanislaus (right) celebrates after scoring against Campion in U-16 semis at Cooperage yesterday. Pic/Atul Kamble
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Campion, who entered as favourites after being the only side to not concede a single goal in the competition, were stunned when Stanislaus’ Nixon Pinto whipped in a freekick in the 16th minute which found an unmarked Josiah make no mistake to head it home.
From thereon it was Campion who were playing catch-up but couldn’t find a way past the Stanislaus defence. Josiah found his name on the scorer’s sheet again, this time getting on the end of a Keegan Pinto ball in the 41st minute to make it 2-0.
The hero of the Bandra outfit was buzzing after the match and was proud his team ousted the defending champs. “It is an awesome feeling to contribute like that for the team. To knock out the champions feels amazing,” Josiah told mid-day. Stanislaus coach Oscar Alva was elated as his side stuck to his plan. “The boys did exactly what I told them to do. My plan worked. We created a lot of chances which is good to see going into the finals,” he said.
Campion coach Wilfred Alva however came down heavily on the referee, pointing out the second goal was purely an offside. “Stanislaus were the better side and it's only fair they won. But the refereeing was horrible.
“The second goal was clearly offside but the linesman couldn’t spot it. We tried playing offside traps throughout the game but if the linesmen can’t spot offsides then we are doomed,” a disappointed Alva added.
In the other semi-final, Don Bosco (Matunga) cruised to the final defeating Jamnabai Narsee (Juhu) 2-0, courtesy goals from Lance Fernandes and Rajin Mehta.
Former champions from Matunga, Don Bosco will face St Stanislaus in the final scheduled at the Cooperage ground tomorrow.
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