MSSA inter-school football: Cathedral beat Dhirubai Ambani International

Riding on striker Ali Adenwala's hat-trick, Cathedral & John Connon ‘B' (Fort) beat Dhirubhai Ambani International (BKC) 3-0 to enter the semi-finals of the Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) Boys U-10 Div II inter-school football tournament yesterday.

Ali Adenwala scores past 'keeper Vansh Bhatia at Azad Maidan. Pic/Suresh KK

Ali opened the scoring for the Fort outfit in the 12th minute with a brilliant solo effort. He then extended their lead six minutes later to make it 2-0 just before the interval. In the 25th minute, he came back to complete his hat-trick.

After the game, Ali thanked his coach Deepak Narwade who trained him as a striker this season. "Till last year, I was a defender for my school team. It's only this season that Deepak sir trained me and I started playing as a striker.

Initially, I took time to adjust, but now I enjoy my role. I am happy that I scored all three goals in an important match like this. I hope we win the final too," said the nine-year-old who has scored seven goals in the tournament so far.

Narwade said their semi-final clash against defending champs St Mary's SSC (Mazagaon) will be crucial. He said: "Winning today's match was important. But the real test for the team will be when we play St Mary's. Our school's ‘B' team won the title in 2010 and I hope this team is able to repeat that feat."