Don Bosco(Matunga) playing a pressure game paid off against St. Stanislaus(Bandra) in the crucial Semi Finals

DATE: 25/09/17

Venue: Sai Ground, Kandivali,Mumbai

This game was special. Both teams had eyes on the trophy as well as each other. This game could easily have been a Final. The potential of a game can be seen from first swing of stick et al. The ball was travelling, to both ends of the field, all the time. Neat passes around 25 yard box made sure a penalty corner for Don Bosco. Another penalty corner followed after a foul in the box that narrowly missed the post.Another penalty corner for Don Bosco and another missed chance. Quickly realising the monotony in attack,  ball started playing in the wing for St. Stanislaus. Smooth transition of passes in midfield but couldn’t produce a goal.Don Bosco got another penalty corner and missed it again. This tournament’s first Green card was awarded following altercation between players after a foul, at 12 minutes.  (Saurabh for St. Stanislas and Atharva for Don Bosco) The first goal scored by Rohan from Don Bosco came at 15 minutes, which aided with a deflection inside the penalty box.St. Stanislaus started off  with more purpose after the goal. A penalty corner followed for Stanislas after a foul inside the box. Don Bosco stood firm and chance was fluffed after. Another penalty corner was awarded to St. Stanislas which was missed. They continued rare forays forward which were saved by defense. 

The score at halftime: 1:0

Second half started with Don Bosco scoring from the first attack via a long shot deflected in front of Nihal to pounce for an opportunistic goal.The aftermath of the goal was overwhelming domination in midfield by Don Bosco. St. Stanislaus drifted out of the match slowly. Very good team move culminated in a narrow miss by Bosco. Don Bosco put brakes on attacks with horizontal movement of ball.

Final Score: 2:0