Striker Araina scores eight goals while her sister Arisha holds the defence firm in DG Khetan International School’s (Malad) 12-0 win over Gopi Birla Memorial School (Walkeshwar)
Arisha Shah (left) with her twin sister Araina
Despite playing with just nine players, DG Khetan International School (Malad) romped to a 12-0 win over Gopi Birla Memorial School (Walkeshwar) in a girls U-16 Division-II match of the Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) inter-school football tournament at the Wings Sports Centre, Bandra, on Thursday.
DG Khetan could not field a full side as some of their players were rehearsing for the school’s Independence Day cultural function. Yet, they dominated, thanks mainly to striker Araina Shah, 13, and her twin sister and deep defender Arisha.
The twins are separated by just one minute with Arisha being the elder sibling.
DG Khetan International School’s Araina Shah during her goal-scoring spree against Gopi Birla School at Bandra on Thursday. Pics/Atul Kamble
On Thursday, Araina handled the attacking responsibilities brilliantly, scoring as many as eight goals, while Arisha led the defence equally admirably, ensuring the Gopi Birla forwards were kept at bay throughout.
Araina opened the scoring in the second minute, and added three more goals in the third, fifth, and seventh minute respectively. Upon resumption, she pumped in goals in the 16th, 18th, 22nd, and 30th minute. Navika Shah and Pranshi Singh scored a brace each for DG Khetan.
Araina and Arisha share a heartwarming bond. Ask them if there’s any rivalry between them, considering one is a forward and the other a defender, and both shoot back with a quick, ‘No.’
“There is no question of any rivalry between us. I know Araina is a better footballer than me. I’ll always support her in defence, no matter whatever the challenge thrown down by any opponent, ” Arisha says with a smile.
The girls took to the sport three years ago while watching their elder brother, Aahan, 17, who is currently away studying at the Manipal Institute of Technology in Karnataka. They started off by representing the school’s U-14 team before graduating to the U-16 side. “We developed interest in football after watching Aahan, who also played for our school earlier. During the COVID-19 lockdown, we would watch him and then practice among ourselves at home. We took a liking to the game,” said Araina, who agreed with her sister’s assessment about who’s the better footballer, but with a small rider. “I cannot argue with Arisha because she’s a good judo player,” Araina signed off as both sisters headed out to join their team to celebrate the big win.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
