the goan I network
margao
David Colaco's first half strike enabled last year's runners-up Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club to pip hosts Cuncolim Union 1-0 to emerge champions of South Goa McDowell's No. 1 Yaari Premiere Cup inter village football tournament organised by Cuncolim Union in the final at Government Village School Playground, Cuncolim on Sunday.
Sao Jose de Areal looked to break down the Cuncolim Union defence early and dominated both the halves. Sao Jose de Areal defence was compact and the midfield -- marshalled by Rayman Fernandes and Agio Antao -- also chipping in with a fine performance.
Bersal Viegas and David Colaco continued from where they left off in the semi-final and troubled the rival defence with pace, power and deception while striking a perfect rhythm.
They came close to scoring in the eighth minute but striker Bersal Viegas frittered away a sitter after Rayman Fernandes put him on the platter. At the other end, Cuncoloim Union's defence at a time was at sixes and sevens and the midfield that was porous and error prone, leaving veteran striker Rosario Carvalho to yet again plough a lone furrow up front.
But what was annoying and most disappointing for home fans was their team's lethargic performance. There were miss-passes galore, yawning gaps in midfield and lack of urgency overall. Very rarely did they manage to put the Sao Jose de Areal defence under pressure.
In the 15th minute, winger David Colaco blew away a golden opportunity for Sao Jose de Areal to surge ahead after Hasten Dias found him in the box but the former failed to connect it with only Cuncolim Union goalkeeper Shaikh Saheel to beat. The all important goal though came soon, in the 29th minute, when David unleashed a right footer that got a touch of rival defender Krishna Shirodkar's head and eluded the rival goalkeeper to bring loud applause from the Sao Jose de Areal supporters.
Post resumption, Sao Jose de Areal continued in same fashion as Cuncolim Union were forced to resort to desperate defending in their own half. Cuncolim Union lacked the conviction in their build-ups and never really threatened the Sao Jose de Areal goal. Cuncolim Union citadel came under heavy pressure but Bersal Viegas muffed two easy sitters.
Midway in the second session, Sao Jose de Areal had a great chance to swell the lead but substitute Prisco Moura squandered an easy chance after Agio Antao laid him the perfect pass. With time running out, Cuncolim Union made desperate attempts to level the scores but Raghuver Gaonkar and Leander Ferandes spurned
chances.
Chandrakant Kavlekar, Leader of the Opposition and Quepem MLA, was the chief guest in the presence of guest of honour, Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias. Suraj Shrivastava, Deputy General Manager, Diageo; Kshitiji Shetye, Marketing Manager, Diageo; Mahendra Shirbhate, Team Leader, South Goa, Diageo; Artemio Da Silva, Area Sales Manager, Diageo and Joe Dias, Event Organiser, VJT Arts, Chinchinim were also present. Prakash Dessai welcomed the guests while Suraj Ambe proposed a vote of thanks. The function was compered by Dinesh Naik. In all, 16 teams
participated.
