Striker Kamran turns goalie to power ANZA into final

Antonio D'Souza High School ANZA (Byculla) striker Kamran Ansari saved three penalties to help ANZA win 3-2 in the tie-breaker against Bombay Scottish (Mahim) after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time during the semi-final

Antonio D'Souza High School ANZA (Byculla) striker Kamran Ansari saved three penalties to help ANZA win 3-2 in the tie-breaker against Bombay Scottish (Mahim) after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time during the semi-final of the District Sports Office (DSO) Subroto Mukherjee boys' U-17 inter-school football tournament at the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) ground, Azad Maidan yesterday.

Antonio D'Souza's Kamran Ansari dives to make a save vs Bombay Scottish (Mahim) during DSO boys' U-17 inter-school semi-final at Azad Maidan yesterday. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Bombay Scottish took the lead in the 16th minute through Parth Damane, who unleashed a powerful left foot strike. ANZA, then, equalllised in the 30th minute when Kamran's freekick was saved by Yug Nair only to fall in front of Murtuza Kazi for an easy tap in.

In the tie-breaker, Kamran, who replaced ANZA goalkeeper Siddhesh More, made three saves as he pulled ANZA from the jaws of defeat. "I was instructed by my coach Sajid Sabir during the break. He told me where to dive and that's how I managed. He has been coaching me since the fifth standard and I owe him a lot," Kamran said in the aftermath of his stunning performance.

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