Inaugural Football Clash Sets the Tone at St. Mary’s Mazagaon

The new academic year at St. Mary's School ICSE and ISC began on a spirited note as the ISC and ICSE boys’ football teams faced off in an inaugural match on campus. The fixture marked the official start of the academic session and set the tone for a year filled with energy, participation, and healthy competition.

The match was organised under the guidance of Sports Director Anthony Albuquerque, along with PT masters Sundeep Gaikwad and Stevencе Pereira, whose efforts ensured a well-conducted and engaging contest.

The event was graced by Principal Elias Coelho, ISC Coordinator Nandini Basu, Secondary Academic Coordinator Cheryl Colaco, Middle School Academic Coordinator Joan Dias, Primary Supervisor Mary Dias, Pre-Primary Supervisor Nisha Mendes, and International School Supervisor Sandra Fernandes, all of whom added significance to the occasion with their presence.

The game began with the singing of the School Anthem and enthusiastic announcement and commentary being made by the host and compere for the day, Patrick D'Souza.

From the opening whistle, both teams displayed determination and a strong desire to make an impact. The ICSE boys, having trained together for a longer period, appeared more settled in their positions and combined effectively across the pitch. On the other hand, the ISC boys, playing their first match together as a unit, showed commendable grit and never backed down from the challenge.

Led by captain Aaron Albuquerque, the ICSE side capitalised on their cohesion and went on to secure a 4–1 victory over the ISC team, captained by Daryn Dsouza. The goals reflected the flow of the match, with Thian Sanjana opening the scoring before Arius Dadiburjour extended the lead. A deflected effort, resulting in an own goal by Gibrel Khan off Arnav Sawardekar, further strengthened ICSE’s position, while Vivaan Ahuja added another to seal the result.

The ISC boys, however, showed admirable resilience. Their efforts were rewarded in the second half when Nidhaan Jain found the back of the net, a moment that followed strong encouragement from Ms. Basu and Mr. Albuquerque and lifted the team’s morale.

In recognition of the players’ efforts and sportsmanship, both teams were awarded medals and trophies at the conclusion of the match, underscoring the spirit of participation and excellence that the institution strives to promote.

Overall, the match proved to be a competitive and engaging encounter, highlighting both teamwork and determination. It served as an ideal beginning to the academic year, reinforcing the importance of sports as an integral part of student development at the school.