PANAJI: Goa were crowned champions at the 9-a-side 6th Nationals Championship (under-19) 2018-19 at Kangra, Dharmashala, Himachal Pradesh. The tournament was organized by the 9-a-side Football Federation of India which is affiliated by Asian 9-a-side Football Federation. At this national event, 20 states had participated from which Goa, Punjab, Karnataka while the home team Himachal Pradesh had qualified for semis.
In the first semi-final Goa were locked at 1-1 with Punjab at the end of regulation time. Goa bettered the opposition at 2-1 in the penalty shootout to enter the finals. In the second semi-finals, Himachal Pradesh defeated Karnataka by a solitary goal.
In the final, Himachal Pradesh backed by a home crowd struck early in the game. the visiting Goa side leveled the score with Dattaraj Tarker finding his range before half-time. Post resumption, Krishab Madkaikar put Goa in the lead with Dattaraj netting his second goal to put the game beyond the home side. Goa were declared National Champions of 9-a-side (under19) football with the score-line reading 3-1 in their favour. Aman Kandolkar (Goa) was named as the promising player of the tournament.
