Day 1 Round up: Don Bosco Challenge Cup 2016

by Siddharth Yadav February 15, 2016

The first day of Don Bosco Challenge Cup 2016 concluded on 14th February, 2016 at Don Bosco College ground at Kurla with some of the best clubs from Mumbai participating, the Tournament went on to lived up to its expectations.

The Tournament is organized in memory of seven Dos Bosco college students who unfortunately lost their lives in the Kurla blast, in October.

The emotions, memories attached to this Tournament is second to none. Teams like Karnataka Sports Association (KSA), Bank of India, Mumbai FC U19, Air India U19, Kenkre FC and specially the Don Bosco A & B teams are also participating in this highly anticipated Knockout Tournament.

Prior to each match, there was a thirty seconds silence in tribute to the seven students. A great gesture from all the players and organizers.

Here is summary of all the four matches played on the first day:

Don Bosco ‘B’ v/s Holy Cross Football Club – In the first match between Don Bosco ‘B’ narrowly defeated Holy Cross Football Club 3-2 to progress into the next round. Marshal Francis and Nicholas D’Souza put on a eye-pleasing display to take a 2-1 lead in the first-half itself. Claudious Fernandes lone goal was not enough for Holy Cross as went into the second-half with one goal down.

Claudious and Lordston Soares were on their top form. Both the attackers kept on creating dangerous chances to get the equalizer but Don Bosco’s defense held their nerves to deny them goal-scoring opportunities. Midway into the second-half, Don Bosco ‘B’ finally scored their third of the match through Kenyon Affonso. Although Lordston’s goal cut short the deficit later, it rather proved out to be ‘too late too little’ for Holy Cross as Don Bosco ‘B’ booked their place in the next round.

For his impressive performance, Holy Cross’s Claudious Fernandes recieved the Man of the Match award.

Karnataka Sports Association (KSA) v/s Don Bosco ‘A’ – KSA showed a determine approach to sink Don Bosco ‘A’ 3-0 to march on into the next round.

Max opened the scoring in the second-half – a underwhelming performance in yhe first-half. Few minutes later, Hitesh Sharma brilliantly found the back of the net from outside the box, his right footed shot struck the left hand post and nestled into the empty net. KSA who was dominant in the second-half scored their third and final goal through Tarique Ansari’s curling shot which buried into right bottom corner.

Pratik Koli of Don Bosco ‘A’ was awarded with the Man of the match.

Bank of India v/s Young Boys

A thunderous first-half display from Bank of India proved enough to register a 4-0 victory over Young Boys in their first round match.

Young Boys started off brightly when Rizwan fancied his effort from long range but Bank of India’s goalkeeper Rajesh Bangera brilliantly tipped Rizwan’s shot over the bar. Few minutes later Bank of India’s Alvito Gomes showed striker instinct as he comfortably managed to beat Young Boys goalkeeper to give B.O.I an early lead.

Midway into the first-half Bank of India scored their second goal when Shankar Thakur brilliantly found Ankit Chavan across the goal with a low cross, who poked the cross into the empty net to take a 2-0 lead. Moments later Rahul Nair’s brilliant cross from left flank was perfectly headed into the goal by Alvito Gomes to increase their lead by three goals.

Rupesh Meher then added another goal as Bank of India progressed into the next round with a 4-0 win.

Arif Ansari of Young Boys was named as Man of the Match.

Soccer Raiders v/s Veniza XI

Soccer Raiders made an incredible comeback to win the match 3-2 after being 2-1 down to book a berth in the next round.

Dhiraj Meher opened the scoring but Ralston Pereira’s goal for Soccer Raiders levelled the scores. Veniza XI restored the parity through Vikram Solanki’s fine goal to take a 2-1 lead.

But Soccer Raiders fought back with a 45 yard thunderous goal by Merwyn D’Souza before Prathamesh Kamble netted the winner to make an incredible comeback.

Veniza XI’s Dhiraj Meher went on to receive the Man of the Match award.

The second day of Don Bosco Challenge Cup 2016 will be continued from 21st February, 2016.