Juhu outfit register 1-0 win over last year's runners-up Dhirubhai Ambani International, after players appear for their mid-term exams yesterday
Anagha Janakkiraman of Arya Vidya Mandir (right) takes control of the ball as Charul Maheshka of Dhirubhai Ambani (blue) and Urvashi Maheshwari look on during the Mumbai School Sports Association inter-school girls under-16 Division I match at Azad Maidan yesterday. Pic/Shadab Khan
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SMT RSB Arya Vidya Mandir (AVM) (Juhu) beat last year's runners-up Dhirubhai Ambani International (BKC) 1-0 to register their third win in the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) U-16 girls inter-school football tournament at Azad Maidan yesterday.
But that wasn't the only test AVM had to face. Players had to also sit for their mid-term exams hours before kickoff.
Each member of the Juhu school team had to appear for the exam, which was scheduled from 9-11 am. Coach Desmond D'Souza was left helpless with only 11 players available. Some players backed out as parents were reluctant to send their kids.
It was a controlled display by AVM, as they did not let Dhirubhai Ambani get out of their own half. Anagha Janakkiraman scored the only goal of the game when her shot was too strong for the 'keeper Jahnvi Mehta, who unsuccessfully parried into her own net.
AVM captain Nishka Grover spoke about the team's ordeal, also giving an insight on the performance.
"It has been stressful. We had to prepare for our exams. We could only get three to four hours of sleep. We have an exam again tomorrow. As for the match, it was a game which didn't require skill, as there was so much rain. Everyone was just poking the ball and one of them went in," Nishka told mid-day.
Eighth grader and goal scorer Anagha has it all sorted though when it comes to maintaining a balance between academics and football. "I had my geography exam today. I had no problem balancing the two things," she said.
Coach D'Souza felt his side could have won the game a lot more easily had it not rained so heavily for the past few days. "We played well. But we showed only 50 per cent on the field. Dhirubhai are a physical side. We could have scored more goals if the ground was free of puddles," he added.
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