MARGAO
Curtorim Gymkahna were crowned the champions of the All Goa 7th Cuncolim Union Rolling Trophy inter village football tournament as they blanked Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda 2-0 in an exciting final at Government School playground, Cuncolim on Tuesday. There was no score at half time.
Both the teams displayed attacking flair and kept the festive crowds on their toes as teams entwined in a battle for possession in the early moments of the game in the first half. Agnelo Martins, Seby Martins and Melvin Fernandes had scoring opportunities but muffed gilt edged chances. At the other end, Don Bosco Oratory did not lag behind as they too had scoring chances but Valente Silva, Cliff Baretto and Hanselm Furtado spurned easy chances.
Crossing over, with the electric atmosphere with fans cheering for their teams with chants and slogans, the match turned livelier. Football is a cruel game and if you do not take your chances you pay. And Don Bosco Oratory did pay.
In the 38th minute, Curtorim Gyamkhna scored against the run of play to make the scoreline 1-0 in the 38th minute. Follwing a well measured cross from the flank by Stephen Fernandes, striker Melvin Fernandes nodded home giving no chance to the rival goalkeeper Malcolm Pereira.
Stung by that setback, Don Bosco Oratory piled on the pressure and troubled the rival defence with well orchestrated raids but Curtorim defence marahsalled by Savio Fernandes was stubborn and denied them any space to have a look at the rival goal. In the 58th minute, Curtorim Gymkhana scored an insurance goal when Stephen Fernandes picked up the ball from his own half and unleashed a booming shot that crashed into the net as the Curtorim supporters erupted into an euphoria.
Curtorim Gymkhana preserved the 2-0 advantage till full time to lift the coveted Cuncolim Union Rolling Trophy. Earlier Don Bosco Oratory tried their best to come back into the game but the rival defence was strong and thwarted their attacks.
Curtorim Gymkhana were richer by Rs 35,000 and a glittering trophy while Don Bosco Oratory had to settle for Rs 25,000 and a trophy. The following individual prizes were awarded: Best disciplined team - Dramapur Sports Club, Best goalkeeper of the final - Malcom Pereia of Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, Best defender of the final - Savio Fernandes of Curtorim Gymkhana, Best Midfielder of the final - Marcus Fernandes of Curtorim Gymkhana, Best forward of the final - Hanselm Furtado of Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda and Best player of the final - Melvin Fernandes of Curtorim Gymkhana.
Justice (retired) Ferdino Rebello, the former chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of Cuncolim MLA Rajan Naik, Elvis Gomes, director of DMA and president of GFA, and Lavita Mascarenhas, chairperson of Cuncolim Municipal Council. Earlier, Prakash Dessai, president of Cuncolim Union welcomed the guests. Aristo D'Souza, secretary of the club proposed a vote of thanks. The function was compered by Diensh Naik, sports secretary of the club. In all 16 teams participated in the tournament.
