Super striker Sego sends St. Francis into semi-final

St Francis D’Assisi’s Hardik Mahala (left) tackles a VCW Arya Vidya Mandir player at Borivli yesterday. Pic/Anurag Ahire

Opportunistic striker Sego Kohli, 15, once again hit the target, leading St Francis D'Assisi HS (Borivli) to a well-deserved 2-0 win over a determined VCW Arya Vidya Mandir (Bandra) in a MSSA boys U-16 Div-II quarter-final play-off match at the St Francis D'Assisi High School ground, Borivli, on Wednesday. Sego now has five goals in five matches. Hardik Mahala, 15, scored the other goal for D'Assisi.

Playing in familiar conditions the D'Assisi boys encountered quite a strong challenge from the Bandra lads with both teams creating an even number of goal-scoring opportunities. In the 18th minute, Hardik intercepted a defensive clearance and swiftly unleashed a rasping shot that beat AVM goalkeeper Ritwick Bhat to give D'Assisi a 1-0 lead.

Sego Kohli

Immediately after the change of ends, substitute Sanal Abba's centre from the left flank landed perfectly for Sego, who coolly tapped the ball past goalkeeper Ritwick to seal the win and a place in the semi-finals.

"We are keen to win the next match [semi-final] and the final to become champions. This is my final year, so I want to finish with a flourish and ensure my school gets promoted to Div-I next season," Sego told mid-day.

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D'Assisi will meet Utpal Sanghvi ‘A' (Juhu), who beat Hiranandani Foundation (Powai) 3-2 via tie-breaker. Anamay Arora, Shaunak Shah and Laksh Shah scored for the Juhu team while only Taha R and Aaditya Bajaj succeeded in scoring for the Powai side.

In another last-eight match, Don Bosco (Borivli) beat Bombay Scottish (Powai) 2-0. Saket Garude (10th min) opened the scoring before Angelo Misquitta (20th) doubled the lead. In the second semi-final, Don Bosco will meet Lilavati Podar International (Santacruz) who beat St Anne's (Orlem) 1-0.