margao
Chandor Club prevailed over Sports and Social Welfare Club, Zaino 5-4 via tiebreaker to win the All Goa 20th Our Lady of Merces 8-a-side inter village football tournament organised by Sirlim Sports Club at Church ground, on Tuesday.
Both the teams made a tentative start as they failed to find the rhythm early in the game. As the match progressed, Sports and Social Welfare Club of Zaino slowly took over the reins. The Zaino side used the width and pace on the flanks and started probing the Chandor defence. Striker Samson Simoes then breached the rival citadel and had a chance to break the deadlock, however twice he wasted easy chances from close range.
At the other end, Chandor Club came close in finding the lead but Zaino goalkeeper came to his side's rescue by fisting away Louie Noronha's snap shot. Zaino nearly broke the deadlock when Jade Colaco's thumping header missed the target and later his rasping shot was brilliantly saved by Chandor Club goalkeeper Johnson Fernandes in the 29th minute.
Post resumption, both the teams showed urgency and troubled the rival defence with well orchestrated raids. Samson Simoes broke the deadlock when he unleashed a stiff shot that crashed into the net. Stung by that setback, Chandor Club went all out and fetched the equalizer in the 55th minute when Darren Fernandes neutralised
the lead.
Both the teams went aggressive but the match winner eluded them despite playing some vintage football. In the penalty shootout, Darren Fernandes, Mahesh Gaonkar, Benson Fernandes and Flezer Gomes found the mark for Chandor Club while Samson Simoes and Micheal Silva were on target for Zaino. Chandor Club were richer by Rs 40,000 and a trophy while Sports and Social Welfare Club of Zaino had to settle for Rs 35,000 and a
trophy.
Welvin Menezes, Hon General Secretary of GFA, was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of guest of honour, Fr Menino Valles; Sanjana Chari, Sarpanch VP Dramapur-Sirlim, and Edwin Cipru Cardozo, Zilla Panchayat Member, Navelim Constituency.
