05 August,2025 08:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Rufus Vedanayagam
Cathedral and John Connon’s Ayaan Devnani (left) tries to beat St Joseph’s goalkeeper Shaurya Gada on Monday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Cathedral and John Connon School (Fort) came from behind to defeat St Joseph's Secondary High School (Malad) 3-1 and secure their place in the boys U-16 Division I semi-finals of the Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) inter-school football tournament at Wings Sports Centre, Bandra, on Monday.
St Joseph's took the lead in the third minute through Ayaan Maniar, who placed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net, leaving the Cathedral defence stunned. Cathedral eventually found the equaliser in the 22nd minute when Arnav Singh slotted home for 1-1.
After the break, Cathedral came out with renewed intensity. Skipper Rian Uniyal, led by example, converting a penalty in the 28th minute to give his team the lead after which Anaai D'Souza sealed the win with a calm finish in the 41st minute.
In another quarter-final, Don Bosco (Matunga) narrowly beat St Mary's ICSE (Mazgaon) 2-1 in an ill-tempered encounter. In the 38th minute, Don Bosco's Menash D'Souza was fouled just outside the box by St Mary's box after which an argument ensued. Referee Jeet Oram immediately issued red cards to four players involved in the altercation. However, later, parents from both sides began arguing too. MSSA Football Secretary Sebastian Fernandes called for better conduct from the spectators and said that "disciplinary action will follow." Naveen Ganeshan and Bhavya Sandish scored for Don Bosco while Aarius Dadibujor pulled one back for St Mary's.
In the day's first quarter-final, Aarav Kataria netted the winner as Don Bosco (Borvli) stunned St Staniulaus 1-0. In the fourth quarter-final, Smt RSB AVM (Juhu) beat Bombay Scottish (Mahim), with Rishan Vora and Prithviraj Tanpure netting a goal each.
In the semi-finals on Wednesday, August 6, AVM (Juhu) will face Don Bosco (Borivli) while Cathedral will take on Don Bosco (Matunga).
