Aarav’s last-gasp strike helps Podar emerge Div-III champs

The Podar International School team with the Div-III trophy after their 1-0 win over St Francis at Azad Maidan on Monday. PICs/Ashish Raje

Aarav Thapa struck in the final minute as Podar International School, CBSE (Powai), beat St Francis School, ICSE (Borivli), 1-0 to clinch the boys U-16 Div-III Dreams Sports Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) inter-school football title at Azad Maidan on Monday.

Aarav Thapa

Podar enjoyed greater possession and created the better chances in a goalless first half, but St Francis goalkeeper Daksh Salia stood firm to keep the Powai side at bay. On resumption, both teams fought hard before Podar got the breakthrough in the last minute (30th). Aarav pounced on a loose ball outside the box and produced a clinical finish into the top-right corner to seal Podar's maiden U-16 title.

Earlier, in the third-place play-off, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (Chembur) beat Army Public School (Colaba) 4-3 via tie-breaker.