18 August,2015 07:45 AM IST | | Rufus Vedanayagam
Having lost the prestigious U-16 Division-I title thrice before to Don Bosco (Matunga) on goal difference, Colaba hope to end the jinx at Cooperage today
Don Bosco (Matunga) coach Leslie Machado (in white) watches his team train at the school's ground yesterday on the eve of today's MSSA U-16 Division-I final at Cooperage
The Don Bosco (Matunga) camp seemed upbeat even as Campion (Colaba) sounded cautious on the eve of today's Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) boys U-16 Division-I inter-school football final at Cooperage.
Don Bosco (Matunga) coach Leslie Machado (in white) watches his team train at the school's ground yesterday on the eve of today's MSSA U-16 Division-I final at Cooperage. Pic/Shadab Khan
Campion have lost out on the title to the Matunga school thrice on goal difference (2010, 2011 & 2012) and are hoping to break the jinx today.
"We had a light practice session at Cooperage today. It's the final, so both teams will go all out. We have our plans. I'll try and understand how the game is panning out five or 10 minutes into the start and then make changes, if necessary," said Campion coach Alex Wilfred Alva.
Don Bosco's coach Leslie Machado too refused to take his opponents lightly. "Campion has a good defence, but I have full faith in my boys. Last season, after many years, we failed to make the U-16 final. It's high time we get the cup back to our school," said Machado.
Meanwhile, there is a split decision between the losing semi-finalists. St Lawrence (Kandivli) coach Lachman Singh Bisht picked Campion, while St Francis D'Assisi coach Thomas Barretto felt Don Bosco's will win.
"We beat Bosco's in the league and lost to Campion, so Campion will win," said Bisht. "We've beaten Campion earlier. Besides, the Bosco boys are skillful, so they should win," said Barretto.
