MSSA U-16 Div I: Zubair 'tricks as Stanislaus beat Arya Vidya Mandir 3-0

St Stanislaus' Zubair Karbhari celebrates a goal at Azad Maidan yesterday. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Striker Zubair Karbhari notched up a fine hat-trick, which was instrumental in St Stanislaus (Bandra) posting a 3-0 win against Arya Vidya Mandir (Juhu) in the boys' U-16 Div I match of the Mumbai Sports Schools Association's (MSSA) inter-school football tournament at Azad Maidan yesterday.

However, Zubair, 13, had mixed emotions after the match. "I am happy and sad. Happy because I scored a hat-trick and at the same time sad as we could not convert the chances to score more goals and win by a bigger margin. I share the blame with my teammates as I missed at least three chances," Zubair told mid-day after the win.

Coach wanted more
Stanislaus coach Roy Fernandes was disappointed too. "A win by a bigger margin would have improved our goal difference, which would count in the fight for a place in the playoffs," Fernandes said.

St Mary's SSC, Mazgaon who have played all three matches to top the group with five points, have a goal-difference of plus five. Stanislaus and Cathedral & John Connon, Fort, meet in the concluding group match with both on the same number of points (four). But, Cathedral with a superior goal difference of plus seven can go through with a draw, while Stanislaus with a goal difference of only plus three, will require a win at all costs to qualify for the knockout phase.

Krishna scores brace
Meanwhile, Krishna Karkera's double strikes were the highlight as Don Bosco 'A', Matunga beat Jamnabai Narsee (Juhu) 3-0 in a Group B encounter. Shyam Redekar netted the third goal.

Other results
B-U-16-I: St Mary's ICSE 2 (Arnav Aswani, Sayed Khurshid) bt St Joseph's, Wadala 0; Bombay Scottish, Mahim 1 (Divyam Chhabra) drew with Campion 'A', Cooperage 1 (Huzaifa Pardawala); St Lawrence, Kandivli 2 (Roshan Singh 2) bt Christ Church, Byculla 0; Dominic Savio 2 (Duane D'Souza, Pranit Vyas) bt Don Bosco, Borivli 1 (Karl D'Souza)

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