Off with a bang! Champions Don Bosco High School rout Campion School 4-0

A Don Bosco (Matunga) player is surrounded by two Campion defenders (in red) during their MSSA U-16 Div-I match at the St Francis D’Assisi High School ground, Borivli, yesterday. Pic/Anurag Ahire

Reigning champions Don Bosco High School (Matunga) launched their title defence in impressive fashion. The Matunga boys dished out a clinical performance to hand Campion School (Cooperage Road) a 4-0 defeat in the season-opening U-16 Division-I Group ‘B' match of the MSSA inter-school football tournament at the St Francis D'Assisi High School ground, Borivli, on Monday.

Yohaan nets brace

Skipper Yohaan Panjuani, 15, led by example, scoring two goals inside the final 15 minutes. Earlier, Aayush Kharat netted the opening goal in the fifth minute when he trapped a goal-kick and took a snap shot on goal. Campion goalkeeper Aarav Sanghavi misjudged the flight of the ball and was left stranded as it sailed over his outstretched hands and dipped into the net. Eight minutes later, the Campion defence was caught napping as they failed to cut off Mrigank More's free-kick from outside the box. Arya Kamble darted in and smartly headed home past goalkeeper Aarav, who was rooted to the ground.

Right winger Yohaan had a quiet first session due to the soggy ground conditions on the flanks, but made his presence felt in the second half by scoring his first goal from a brilliant solo effort. He picked up a pass on the right of the box and then weaved his way past two defenders before slotting past a hapless Aarav. A little later, from another solo run down the middle, he once again bulged the net to complete the victory.

The Campion boys were a jaded lot as they were playing their third match in less than 36 hours. On Sunday at 9am, they played a second-round DSO match followed by a third-round match on Monday morning in Dadar after which they travelled to Borivli for this MSSA fixture. "It's good to start with a win. The victory will boost our confidence for the remainder of the tournament. I'm also happy to have contributed with goals," Yohaan told mid-day.

Arnav two good

Later, Bombay Scottish (Mahim) scored two late goals to overcome St Mary's ICSE (Mazgaon) 2-0 in the second Group ‘B' match. Arnav Kashikar scored both goals.