MARGAO
Fr Agnel Multipurpose Higher Secondary School, Verna, emerged champions dethroning holders Rosary Higher Secondary School, Navelim 7-6 via sudden-death to clinch the Salcete Taluka Under 17 Subroto Mukherjee inter-school football tournament organized by Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs at SAG Artificial Turf Grounds, Fatorda. Both the teams were tied 1-1 at the end of normal period.
In an absorbing final, both the teams displayed attacking intent and kept the crowds on their toes .Fr Agnel Multipurpose High Secondary School struck the rhythm and called the shots against the rival citadel and had a chance to surge ahead in the 4th minute when Flan Gomes picked up the ball from midfielders Myron Pacheco and the former outwitted couple of defenders. His rasping shot was well blocked by Rosary Higher Secondary goalkeeper Velton Fernandes.
At the other end, Rosary Higher Secondary School broke the deadlock in the 5th minute when striker Arron Baretto unleashed a snap shot that crashed into the net, giving no chance to the rival goalkeeper off an assist from Joybert Almeida.
However, their joy was short-lived and a minute later striker Meuton Fernandes struck a lightning shot giving no chance whatsoever to the Rosary Higher Secondary goalkeeper.
Both the teams tried their best to regain the lead but their forwards muffed gilt-edged chances.Post resumption, Rosary Higher Secondary Schoool upped the ante but Fr Agnel Multipurpose Higher Secondary School showed no signs of panic. The defence led by Preston Pereira, Aaron Mascarenhas, Aditya D'Cruz and Myron Pacheco played with tenacity. Rosary striker Aaron Baretto looked to get the Rosary Higher Secondary match-winner and came up with enough opportunities that could have given a convincing match winner. But as luck would have it and rival goalkeeper did them in, Fr Agnel Multipurpose Higher Secondary School's striker Meuton Fernandes who was a live wire in his team attacks but Rosary defenders were alert in frustating Verna attacks. Both teams tried their best to score in regulation time but failed.
After finishing 1-1 in regulation time, both teams headed for the sudden death. In the shootout, the scores were tied after equal attempts were successful. In the sudden-death, Fr Agnel Multipurpse Higher Secondary emerged victors with Nigel Coutinho,Aaron Mascarenhas, Brison Fernandes, Flan Gomes, Stalen Lucas and Myron Pacheco were on target for the winners while Denson Fernandes, Cletus Pinto, Samward Pereira, Leo Rebello and Alister Fernandes netting for Rosary Higher Secondary School, Navelim.
Rosary Higher Secondary coach cum physical education teacher Anoj Naik was happy with the performance of the team but the disappointment of the loss was writ large on his face.
Shyam Gawli coach of Fr Agnel Multipurpose Higher Secondary School, Verna was delighted with his team. "I am happy with the performance of my boys and most importantly winning the
title was all the more satisfying," Gawli said.
