Riding on goals from Alyan Virani and Ansh Bhansali, Mazagaon school beats neighbours St Mary's SSC 2-1
St Mary's ICSE's Ansh Bhansali (in blue) vies for the ball against Yash Bagal of St Mary's SSC at Azad Maidan on Saturday
St Mary's ICSE won the battle of the St Mary's schools after edging past St Mary's SSC 2-1 in a closely fought Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) boys' U-16 Division I inter-school football match at Azad Maidan on Saturday.
St Mary's ICSE's Ansh Bhansali (in blue) vies for the ball against Yash Bagal of St Mary's SSC at Azad Maidan on Saturday. Pic/Shadab Khan
Both schools — founded in 1864, located in Mazagaon and separated by only a wall — share a footballing rivalry since ages.
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St Mary's ICSE's Alyan Virani opened the scoring in the second minute of the game with a brilliant solo effort. In the 30th minute, Ansh Bhansali scored after cutting through St Mary's SSC defenders to give St Mary's ICSE a 2-0 lead at half-time.
In the second half, 14-year-old Ansh got a chance to score but he missed the opportunity. St Mary's SSC's skipper Shadrach Cardoza reduced the deficit in the 45th minute.
St Mary's ICSE scorer Alyan said that it was a crucial match for them. "St Mary's SSC dominated in the second half. But today our co-ordination and passing helped us win," said 14-year-old Alyan.
St Mary's ICSE coach Balmukund Tiwary lauded his team for playing to their potential. "We wait for an opportunity to play each other.
Last year, when we faced each other, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. It's not often that we face each other in a competition. Defeating SSC is always special," said Tiwary.
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