Down 1-0 early in the game, Bosco boys emerge champions of MSSA U-16 Div I inter-school football tournament at Cooperage ground with 4-1 win in tie-breaker to end two-year title drought
Don Bosco (Matunga) players pose with the trophy after the tie-breaker against St Stanislaus (Kandivli) at Cooperage ground. Pic/Atul Kamble
Back after a two-year title drought, Don Bosco (Matunga) finally managed to clinch this year's Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) U-16 Div I inter-school football title defeating St Stanislaus (Bandra) 4-1 via tie-breaker in the final held at Cooperage ground yesterday. Both teams were tied 1-1 at regulation time.
Don Bosco (Matunga) players pose with the trophy after the tie-breaker against St Stanislaus (Bandra) at Cooperage ground. Pic/Atul Kamble
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Bosco last won the coveted crown in 2013 and were understandably itching to win it again. However, Stanislaus posed stiff competition and gave their opponents a run for their money.
Billed as hot favourites before the match, Bosco went down 1-0 in the eighth minute when a long ball, that caused utter confusion in their box, was ultimately tapped in by Stanislaus skipper Marven Fernandes. That goal was surely a wake up call for Bosco as the team grew in stature as the game progressed. The Bandra outfit were on the backfoot and were unable to cope with the pressure Bosco were imposing.
Bosco found the equaliser in the 45th minute, courtesy Mannan Dang's header. The striker was impressive all through the game playing a slew of roles for his side. He dedicated the win to his coach Leslie Machado, who completed 25 years of coaching Bosco.
"It is a special feeling to score and contribute for the team. We wanted to win it for Leslie sir. The whole team fought for each other today. We always do but played harder today," Mannan told mid-day. Bosco's Shelton Fernandes, who scored the decisive penalty, also dedicated the win to his coach. "We dedicate this win to Leslie sir. I am happy we could win it for him," Shelton said.
Coach Machado admitted the encounter was a nail-biting one and was afraid when it went into a tie-breaker as last year the team ended on a losing note to Campion. This time though Bosco made no mistakes as they converted all of their kicks, while Stanislaus missed two "I was scared to see the tie-breaker. I did not see a single kick. I showed my back to it. I am relieved that we were able to win it," Machado said.
Meanwhile, Stanislaus coach Oscar Alva was disappointed after his team took the lead, but is happy they could reach the final. "We dominated the first half. We dropped deeper and deeper in the second, which we shouldn't have done. But overall I am pleased with what we have achieved," Alva added.
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