Verna Sports Club players receive the winners' trophy.
MARGAO
Verna Sports Club prevailed over Davorlim Sports Club 5-4 in the tiebreaker to clinch the 16th Super Soccer football tournament title in a thrilling final at St John de Baptist Dando ground, Benaulin on Sunday.
The encounter commenced cautiously, with both teams feeling each other out. As the game progressed, Verna gradually gained control, thanks in part to their solid attack led by Andrus John and Ajay Satardekar
Post resumption Davorlim, however, showcased their mettle, with Adarsh Raj and William Niasso delivering commendable performances in midfield but were not supported by their strikers. The last ten minutes of regular time witnessed a tense battle for possession as neither side wanted to concede the crucial first goal. This deadlock eventually led to the dramatic tiebreaker.
In the tiebreaker, Andrus John, Noel D'Silva, Nevil Menezes, Salvador Gama, and Hilton Pereira displayed nerves of steel, successfully scoring for Verna. On the other side, William Niasso, Adarsh Raj, Royson Colaco, and Jovito Niasso were lucky for Davorlim with their precise spot-kicks.
The match was a spectacle enjoyed by a large Sunday crowd. Savio Alemao, the chief guest, and other dignitaries, including father Eremito Coutinho.
Xavier Pereira, Sarpanch of VP Benaulim, and Glyda Rodrigues, deputy sarpanch Manoj Keserkar of Benaulim, along with other panchas, Anthony Pango, Sr vice-president of Goa Football Association (South Goa) and Anthony Fernandes, Andrew Ferrao, GFA executive committee members and other dignitaries distributed the prizes.
Individual prizes: Best striker of the tournament- Reeve D’Costa (SC Davorlim), best half of the tournament – Clifton Rebello (Verna SC), best goalkeeper of the tournament – Francis Colaco (SC Davorlim), best player of the tournament – Mallappa (Navelim Villagers Union), best goal of the tournament – Jozwan Cardozo (UC Benaulim), best disciplined team – Navelim Villagers Union, best striker of the final – Andrews John (Verna SC), best half of the final – Ajay Satarkar (Verna SC), best goalkeeper of the final – (Verna SC), best defender of the final – Sanju Trikoni (SC Davorlim), First goal of the final – William Niasso (SC Davorlim), Man of the final – Fulgancio Cardozo (Verna SC), promising player of the tournament – Adarsh Raj (SC Davorlim).
Verna Sports Club walked away with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and the trophy, while Davorlim Sports Club received 4,0,000 and a trophy as the runners-up.
