MARGAO
Cuncolim Union made short work of a 10-man Betalbatim Sporting Club with a clinical 4-0 win to clinch the McDowell's No 1 Yaari Premier Cup inter village football tournament organised by Cuncolim Union, at Government School playground, Cuncolim on Saturday. Cuncolim led 2-0 at half time.
Betalbatim Sporting, who had decent run-up to the final tried to put up a stiff resistance in the opening stages but were breached in the ninth minute when Saurab Faterpenkar's free kick eluded both the rival human wall and goalkeeper Godwin Fernandes.
Stung by the early setbck, Betalbatim Sporting put all their force to man the backline and bottle up the rampaging Cuncolim Union attackers. However, Cuncolim again found an opening as Frazier Fernandes doubled their lead off a pass from Daulat Dessai in the 15th minute.
Down by double blows, Betalbatim Sporting went into the attacking mode and had couple of scoring chances but striker Kingsley Pereira was the worst of the offenders, as he alone muffed three sitters.
Post resumption, Betalbatim Sporting suffered a heavy blow when Bonnie Fernandes was ejected by the referee. Cuncolim Union utilised the numerical advantage well and the rival penalty area. As Betalbatim Sporting pressed ahead, Celino Fernandes and Cedric Costa missed gilt edged chances. At the other end, Cuncolim Union had a couple of scoring opportunities to inflate their tally but striker Daulat Dessai spurned easiest of chances with only the rival goalkeeper at his mercy.
However, Cuncolim Union showed no mercy to their familiar foes post the breather and pumped in two more goals -- Leander Cunha scoring in the 54th minute, while a minute later Cliffton Fernandes hammered in the final blow.
Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado was the chief guest and gave away the prizes to the winners in the presence Suraj Shrivastava, deputy general manager of United Spirits, and Elvis Gomes, president of Goa Football Association. In all 16 teams participated in the tournament.
The follwing prizes were awarded:
Highest scorer of the tournament (Golden Boot): Rosario Carvalho of Cuncolim Union; First goal of the final: Saurab Faterpenkar of Cuncolim Union; Best forward of the final: Leander D'Cunha of Cuncolim Union; Best half of the final: Daulat Dessai of Cuncolim Union; Best defender of the final: Krishna Shirodkar of Cuncolim Union; Best goalkeeper of the final: Godwin Fernandes of Cuncolim Union.
