PUNE, Aug 12: Zubin Patel's bicycle kick goal minutes before regulation time proved a savior for JN Petit seniors as they survived a possible defeat against Bishop's High School and thereafter force a 7-6 tie-breaker verdict to make the semi-finals of the PSAAA Inter-School football tournament.At the SSPMS ground here today, Petit undefeated in the tournament so far trailed 2-3 until Zubin, out of nowhere, levelled scores and force further delay in the result.
Bishop's put up a brave show and matched Petit on all fronts scored their regulation time goals through Arun Soanes, Anand P and Anish Wastrad, however Petit, who had this `never give in' attitude, crawled back with goals from Zubin (2) and Manas Rawat to share six goals at full-time.
In the tie-breaker, Petit scored through Nitin Gaurav, Sumit Kadu, Ajay Mathatoo and Kaizad Pardiwala, while for Bishop's Aditya Kelshikar, Ajinkya Hange and Viraj Kamble reduced the margin. Later SSPMS (D) got the better of their Boarders by an odd goal in three with Devendra D and Sandeep K netting for the winners. Ravi pulled one back for the losers.
Dastur, Petit through: In the mini section, the grit and determination of Sardar Dastur paid off in an easy 3-0 win over Hutchings High School, in the last match of the morning session.
The hero for Dastur was Ruturaj Gawli who scored a brace. The first was a result of a co-ordinated movement by Aniket Jadhav, Mikhayel Gaikwad which eventually paved way for Ruturaj to score the only goal of the first-half.
Changing ends, Karhaan Sheikh capitalising on a mis-kick by Hutchings custodian Rommel Vats put his side 2-0 ahead. Minutes before full-time Rutura completed the rout with a brilliant solo.
Remaining in the same section, JN Petit beat Don Bosco 8-0 with the More brothers Swapnil and Suraj registering a rare hat-trick each. Suraj Salisane and Suraj Maluakar accounted for the other goals.
ENNS (B) win: In an all ENNS quarter-final tie in the junior section the day scholars proved supreme against their boarders, with the score reading 3-0. The architects of the win were Vishal Shinde, Viraj Surve and Ganesh Kand.
Sardar Dastur completed the last semi spot with a 2-1 win over SSPMS (Day) in a match decided in sudden-death penalties. The tie-breaker saw the teams locked 1-1 with Abdul Bootwalla and Ravindra Pardeshi scoring for either side. Vijay Murali's conversion signaled the host's doom.
Semi-Final line up: Mini: ENNS (B) v Sardar Dastur (11.00 a.m.); JN Petit v Vidya Bhavan (1.30 p.m.) Junior: JN Petit v ENNS (D) (9.45 p.m.); SSPMS (B) v Sardar Dastur (2.45 p.m.). Seniors: St Joseph's, Ghorpuri v JN Petit (8.30 a.m.); Vidya Bhavan v (SSPMS (D) (4.00 p.m.).
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.