As the MSSA football season kicks off today, schools will be eager to end domination of Don Bosco
Monsoon, pride for playing for the school shirt is something that youngsters look forward to. The wait is finally over. It's that time of the year where students across the city shall fight it out in the muck for the top prize to win in football. The Mumbai Schools Sports Association's season kicks off on Tuesday at the MSSA grounds, Azad Maidan.
Teams have been sweating it out in practice, tactics have been made and practised over the summer vacations. The question on everyone's mind is the same. Who can/will stop the Don Bosco juggernaut?
The side from Matunga have made winning the first division title much more than a habit. The side coached by Leslie Machado have won five straight titles on the trot and have lifted the trophy a staggering 11 times in the last 12 years.
"We won't rest on our laurels. That is past. We are hungry for more and we want 'number six'. Majority of our side consists of the under-14 squad from last year. So progression is very well going on the right track," Machado said.
Experience of winning on the big stage has taught Machado and his squad very well. The recent World Cup in Brazil teaching the side a very valuable lesson. "Spain dominated international football for six straight years. No one had a clue to stop them. All of a sudden you see sides like Chile, Costa Rica and Colombia give the big guns a run for their money."
Speaking of the challengers and the underdogs, Jamnabai Narsee (Juhu) shall pose the biggest threat to Don Bosco. They shall be smarting from last season's loss where they narrowly lost out via goal difference.
But preparations have been hampered as the side will be fielding two separate teams in the first and third division (IGCSE in the third division and ICSE in the first division) as compared to last year where the side participated under the ICSE board.
"We built the team around the one we had last year. This is a change that seriously hampers our chances. We start from scratch but have thankfully got the required players that fit the criteria."
Jamnabai duo of Aryaan Thadani and Dhruvin Patel don't seem to be impressed by the change one bit. Aryan shall now play in the third division while he shall see skipper from last year Dhruvin fight it out in the first.
"I shifted boards this year but we were totally unaware about this change. We were looking to go all the way and of course we're disappointed to know we won't be playing together," said Thadani. "We'll miss guys like Aryaan and the other IGCSE guys as we aren't the same team without them," said Patel.
Officials at the MSSA didn't seem to be impressed and set the record straight. "There is no question of there being a rule change. It goes without saying that a school will field two separate sides if they are to participate in two divisions. Since it was the ICSE board that took part in the first division, it is to be the same for the coming season," said Sebastian Fernandes, MSSA general secretary.
Giving Don Bosco and Jamnabai stiff competition shall be St Stanislaus (Bandra), St Mary's ICSE (Mazgaon) and dark horses Campion School (Fort). "Don Bosco are everyone's favourite, but it would be nice to see a rank outsider come and win it. It'll be great for the local school circuit," added Fernandes.
Format
12 teams per division (Three divisions, 36 schools in total)
Teams divided into two groups (6 per group). Each school to play the other once.
Top two teams from each group to contest the semifinals
Schools promoted into first division: St Mary's ICSE (Mazgaon) and Don Bosco (Borivli)
The Dons of Mumbai
Don Bosco Matunga have won the first division title for five years in a row and have gone on to lift the trophy on 11 of the past 12 seasons.
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