Karsten strikes as Don Bosco retain U-12 title

Karsten D'Souza of Don Bosco (Matunga) shoots to score against Campion (Cooperage) in the U-12 Div I MSSA inter-school final at Azad Maidan on Saturday

Riding on a solitary goal by Karsten D'Souza Don Bosco (Matunga) defeated Campion (Cooperage) 1-0 to win their sixth consecutive Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) boys U-12 inter-school football title at Azad Maidan on Saturday.


Karsten D'Souza of Don Bosco (Matunga) shoots to score against Campion (Cooperage) in the U-12 Div I MSSA inter-school final at Azad Maidan on Saturday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Ten-year-old Karsten from switched Holy Family School (Andheri) to Don Bosco (Matunga) six months ago to pursue his passion - football, and aptly lived up to expectations yesterday. He scored the winning goal in the 45th minute via a solo effort.

The youngster thanked his new teammates for the win. "I was a part of my previous school's football team too. But the atmosphere in Don Bosco is completely different. I wanted to do well in football, but I was not sure if I could bond with my new team.

Thankfully, it is because of their support that I was able to do well. This all-important goal in the final means a lot to me," said the Class VI student, who hopes to carry on the good work for his school. "This is only my first year in school... I hope to win many more titles for my school now."

Don Bosco coach Leslie Machado admitted it was anybody's game with the score reading 0-0 for most part of the match. "Things could have gone either way had it not been for Karsten's goal. He joined the school this year and I am happy that he has settled in quickly and is playing so confidently," said Machado.

Meanwhile, in the third-place tie, a brace from Mir Reza Sayed helped St Mary's SSC (Mazagaon) beat St Mary's ICSE (Mazagaon) 2-1. Rudra Dutta scored the lone goal for St Mary's ICSE.