VCDS, who were hot favourites for the title, started the final well and led 3-1 after first half with Goa's Premier Futsal star Michael Silva in the thick of action with a superb hat-trick. Sanford Gonsalves scored one for M7 to keep his side in contention. M7 like in the first half, started the latter half fighting hard to get back in the game. They created a few chances but fell short in front of the goal. VCDS finally put the issue to bed with Joylon Viegas and Savio Fernandes striking to give them a solid scoreline of 5-1.
Michael Silva stars in 5-1 rout in the final at DBO Panaji, named player of the tournament
the goan I network
Panaji
VCDS were crowned champions of The Goan Futsal 2017 after they easily overpowered M7 Football Club 5-1 in the final of the 16-team tournament which concluded at Don Bosco indoor facility on Sunday.
VCDS, who were hot favourites for the title, started the final well and led 3-1 after first half with Goa's Premier Futsal star Michael Silva in the thick of action with a superb hat-trick. Sanford Gonsalves scored one for M7 to keep his side in contention.
M7 like in the first half, started the latter half fighting hard to get back in the game. They created a few chances but fell short in front of the goal. VCDS finally put the issue to bed with Joylon Viegas and Savio Fernandes striking to give them a solid scoreline of 5-1.
VCDS looked a good cohesive unit in the title clash while M7 looked incisive in their raids in spurts but luck did not favour them as they fell behind. VCDS held on to their lead and claimed the trophy for the three-day futsal tourney with a 5-1 win.
Organized by The Goan Everyday and IIFL Investment Managers, Futsal 2017 was co-powered by HDFC Bank in association with Don Bosco Oratory Sports & Cultural Youth Club, Panaji. The tournament was played in a knock-out format with a coveted winner's purse of Rs 25,000 and a glittering trophy, while the runners-up were given Rs 15,000 and a trophy.
Each game of 20 minutes constituted of five players on field with three on the bench per side with rolling
substitutions.
Earlier in the semi-finals, VCDS defeated St Anthony 3-1 to progress to the summit clash. St Anthony struck early in the very first minute through Akshay and the score line stayed 1-0 in their favour though VCDS tried hard to equalise. They came close on two attempts with one shot missing inches from the inside of the far post and the other hitting
the horizontal.
VCDS then came hard at the opposition in the second half and their resurgence was led by Premier Futsal star Michael Silva who drew parity when his sliding shot beat the opposition keeper. Silva struck again minutes later with a full-blooded footer. Savio Fernandes came to the party before the final whistle to seal the issue 3-1 in VCDS's favour.
VCDS had reached the semi-final by defeating AK 5 United in the last four clash 4-3 via the tiebreaker while St Anthony made it to the semis by putting it across Dzsire 7 with a 3-1 win.
In the other half of the field, in the second semi-final, M7 lived up its name trouncing a listless HDFC Bank 7-0. While Craig Menezes and Karan Shirodker netted a brace, Nicholas Fernandes, Aman Govekar and Sanford Gonsalves struck a goal apiece. At half time, M7 were a goal up with a neat Nicholas Fernandes assist finding Craig Menezes slot home into an
open goal.
In the quarters, HDFC Bank defeated Zapak Boys 5-3 and M7 Football Club won a closely fought encounter against Grid Iron 3-2 to make it to the semis. Standly Fernandes and Anthony Vaz were the referees for all the three matches
Michael Silva of VCDS was named as the best player of the tournament. Best goalkeeper of the tourney was awarded to Mario Rodrigues of the HDFC Bank.
