MARGAO
Co-hosts Margao Sports Club beat Sporting Club Davorlim 5-2 in the tiebreaker to clinch the V M Salgaocar Memorial Invitational inter-village football tournament organised by Prime SC at St John Baptist ground, Dando, Benaulim on Sunday.
Even before a large crowd settled down to watch the final, Davorlim surged ahead in the very second minute when stopper back Alfred Noronha fouled rival striker Michael Dias inside the box to concede a penalty. The spot kick was easily converted by veteran striker Francis Andrade.
Davorlim were not fazed by the early setback and put pressure on the rival rearguard. Their constant attacks were rewarded in the 28th minute when young central defender Lesser Raikar, who took a deft pass from Adarsh Raj, unleashed a fierce right-footer from the top of the box which crashed into the nylons, giving no chance to Margao goalkeeper Selvino Noronha, 1-1.
After the breather, both the teams were cautious and could not score a winner in regulation time. In the tiebreaker, Margao were successful through Francis Andrade, Roque Borges, Mario Noronha and Michael Dias while only Velroy Colaco and Jordan Miranda found the net for Davorlim. The spot kicks of Adarsh Raj and Royson Colaco were saved by Margao goalkeeper Selvino Noronha.
The chief guest, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas gave away the prizes in the presence of Benaulim Sarpanch Xavier Pereira, Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz, Solon Furtado, Charles Fernandes, Trevor Fernandes, Libereta Pereira and Manoj Kesarkar. The winners Margao were awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a trophy while Sporting Club Davorlim got Rs 40,000, besides a trophy.
The other prizes awarded were: Best Half of the Tournament: Ali Khan (SC Davorlim), Best Defender of the Tournament: Sanjay Trikkoni (SC Davorlim), Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Francis Colaco (SC Davorlim), Best Disciplined Team: Verna SC, Best Player of the Tournament: Roque Borges (Margao SC), Best Defender of the Finals: Wedly Baretto (Margao SC), Best Half of the Finals: Cliff Kalu Baretto (Margao SC), Best Goalkeeper of the Finals: Selvino Noronha (Margao SC), Man of the Finals: Selvino Noronha (Margao SC).
Solon Furtado welcomed and Brian Dias proposed the vote of thanks. Anthony Rodrigues compered. The Prime Educational Awards for SSC toppers were also presented at the finals.
