CALIFORNIA
In a thrilling finale to the CalifornianGoans Soccer Tournament 2024, the Goan Portugal Boys emerged victorious, defeating the Bay Strikers 1-0 in a dramatic penalty shootout at Rengstorff Park, Mountain View, California.
Aliston D’Souza scored the decisive goal on the 14th penalty, securing the championship after a hard-fought match.
The 6-a-side tournament consisted of six teams from all over Northern California and had been going on for a couple of months. The Goan Portugal Boys and Bay Strikers, both tournament favourites, faced off in an intense final that lived up to expectations.
The Goan Portugal Boys comprised Pelcy Barreto, Cedric Costa, Aliston D’Souza, Presley D’Costa, Jenroe Barreto, Cristiano Barreto, Leo Costa and Jonathan Pinto, while the Bay Strikers consisted of Camilo Costa, Malcon Gonsalves, Aston Fernandes, Eddy Braganza, Delroy Pereira, Macklon Colaco and Velintan Fernandes.
The Bay Strikers were the runners-up at the CalifornianGoans Soccer Tournament 2024.
After full-time play, neither side managed to break the deadlock, forcing the match into a penalty shootout. Each team staying neck and neck until the decisive moment when D’Souza’s penalty sealed the win for the Goan Portugal Boys.
The Man of the Match was Cedric Costa (Goan Portugal Boys), while the Man of the Tournament was Cedric Costa (Goan Portugal Boys) and Top Scorer of the Tournament was Malcon Gonsalves (Bay Strikers).
The Goan Portugal Boys celebrated their well-deserved win, while the Bay Strikers, despite their disappointment, were commended for their outstanding performance throughout the tournament.
“The final brought an exciting conclusion to a season filled with passion and competitive spirit, a true celebration of soccer in the CalifornianGoans community,” said Joseph Lourenco of the CalifornianGoans.
