MSSA U-16 football: Faizuddin rescues champs Don Bosco

Faizuddin Siddique

Substitute Faizuddin Siddique turned saviour for defending champions Don Bosco 'A' (Matunga) as he scored a last-minute equaliser to help his team rescue a point against St Mary's ICSE 'A' (Mazagaon) in their season opener of the MSSA U-16 Div-I inter-school football match at Azad Maidan yesterday. The match ended in 1-1 draw.

Rahil Chopra scored off a rebound for St Mary's in the 16th minute to put the Matunga lads on the backfoot. The Mazagaon side kept the pressure on the defending champions and looked the better team. The second half saw the Bosco boys attack with more intent and came close to scoring on four occasions - Krishna Karkera, Mikhail Vanhappa, Ansen Tauro and skipper Samar Khalatkar, were all guilty of missing scoring opportunities.

Bosco coach Leslie Machado then replaced Keith Fernandes with Faizuddin in the 50th minute, when it seemed like the Bosco boys were destined for defeat. However, Faizuddin headed in a Krishna corner kick in the 60th and final minute to restore parity.

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