MARGAO
Navelim Sporting Club emerged as the champions of the 22nd Fr Basilio Andrade Memorial Tournament, in a nail-biting final against Rossman Cruz Nagoa-Verna. The match, held at Musson Grounds in Majorda, ended 5-4 in favor of Navelim Sporting Club after a tie-breaker, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The final was a closely contested affair, characterized by two identical goals from around thirty yards away that left the goalkeepers with no chance. Clinton Niasso was the hero for Navelim, finding the net from long range, while Noel D'Silva returned the favour, scoring for Verna.
The game was a thrilling back-and-forth encounter, with both teams competing fiercely for possession and attacking opportunities. Both sides made attempts on goals that were either wayward or failed to trouble the keepers. Midway through the first half, Clinton Niasso's moment of brilliance had the crowd on its feet. He found himself in the Verna half and unleashed a thunderous strike from 30 yards out, leaving Shubert Moniz under the Verna goal with no chance.
Verna exhibited some excellent passing midway through the first half when Nevil Menezes made a surging run from the left flank to meet an Andrews John pass. Menezes delivered a cross to Royson Rodrigues, whose effort struck the upright. Clinton Niasso continued to be a threat to Verna, this time set up by Velinto Almeida, but goalkeeper Schubert Moniz easily dealt with his header. At the other end, Andrews John and Lennon Pereira combined passes, but Andrews' left-footed effort narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, Verna increased their efforts to find the equalizer, and their perseverance paid off when Noel D'Silva, positioned in the Verna half, took a few strides before unleashing a powerful right-footed shot that beat Jeet Gupta under the Navelim bar. Inspired by this success, Noel attempted two more long-range strikes, but both lacked the required direction. As the match progressed, both teams adopted a more measured approach, unwilling to concede territory, and the game ultimately headed into a tie-breaker.
In the tie-breaker, Navelim proved to be the more accurate shooters, with Clinton Niasso, Nevin Pereira, Nash Pereira, Malappa Bizzargi, and Darren Peixoto all converting their spot-kicks. Valinton, however, was acrobatically denied by Schubert Moniz. For Verna, Nevil and Schubert Moniz faltered from the spot.
Before the match, a plaque was inaugurated by Fr. Candido Fernandes, Parish Priest, Mother of God Church, Majorda. This plaque was installed in memory of the late Arsenio Jacques, who had generously gifted the land to Associacao Academica de Majorda for the Musson Football Ground.
PRIZES: Winners: Navelim Sporting Club, Runners-up: Rossman Cruz Nagoa-Verna, Best Goalkeeper: Jeet Gupta, Navelim Sporting Club, Best Defender: Malappa Bizzargi, Navelim Sporting Club, Best Midfielder: Ajay Satarkar, Rossman Cruz Nagoa-Verna, Best Forward: Noel D'Silva, Rossman Cruz Nagoa-Verna, Man of the Match: Clinton Niasso, Navelim Sporting Club.
