MSSA U-14: Christ Church's Umar scores brace to down Greenlawns

Christ Church's Umar (right) hits a shot during the match against Greenlawns High School in the U-14 boys MSSA Utpal Sanghvi knockout inter-school football tournament yesterday. Pic/Atul Kamble

Christ Church's Umar (right) hits a shot during the match against Greenlawns High School in the U-14 boys MSSA Utpal Sanghvi knockout inter-school football tournament yesterday. Pic/Atul Kamble

Christ Church School (Byculla) got off to a flying start in the U-14 boys Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) Utpal Sanghvi knockout inter-school football tournament at Azad Maidan yesterday.

The Byculla outfit got the better of Greenlawns High School (BP Road) in the first round defeating them 3-1. Christ Church, who finished as quarter-finalists in the last edition, put in an assured display to dispatch their opponents.

Umar weaves his magic
Striker Umar Shaikh scored twice while super sub Athang Sawant added one later on for the Byculla team. Umar and Athang, along with their teammates, were part of many aesthetically pleasing attacks.

The first goal scored by Umar was a fine move when Ammar Mohin played the ball to Siyam Shaikh in the box, who wonderfully feinted his opponent to find an unmarked Umar. The second goal involved the same two players as Siyam assisted Umar who doubled his goal tally.

Greenlawns spring to life
Greenlawns, who were largely pedestrians in the game, suddenly sprang to life when they won a penalty which Aman Sawla duly converted. But they were soon shot down when Athang made it three for his team.

Christ Church coach Nilesh Rao was happy with the display and said that the current team can do much better this year. "We played really well today despite missing out on a few players who were unavailable. I have a very good team with me and I think we can go deep in this tournament this year and can even get promoted to Division I in the league tournament later on," Rao told mid-day.

However, Umar was a bit upset that he could not get a hat-trick despite coming close twice. He took positives from the game. "I feel good scoring the goals today. I could have got a hat-trick today but I can do better next time," he said.

Christ Church's under-12 coach Eranna Vadari, who was present during the match and under whom Umar played not too long ago, said that his development as a footballer is due to the support he received from his parents. "Any young player needs a lot of support from his/her parents. In Umar's case, the support is there.

Wherever he plays, they come for every tournament," Vadari added. He also pointed out that the team needs to step up as this is the first time they are playing 11 a side. "Many of them have come up from the under-12s so they are used to playing half pitch. They have to work on their stamina and ball control," Vadari said.