
GVM’s Gopal Govind Poy Raiturcar College of Commerce and Economics, Farmagudi won the 2nd All-Goa Inter-Collegiate Futsal Tournament.
MARGAO
GVM’s Gopal Govind Poy Raiturcar College of Commerce and Economics, Farmagudi, emerged champions of the 2nd All-Goa Inter-Collegiate Futsal Tournament held at Kick-Off Futsal Arena, Talaulim. The hosts defeated Government College, Khandola in the final to claim the title and Rs 10,000 prize. Rosary College, Navelim and Government College, Sanquelim were losing semifinalists. Aditya Kumar of GVM’s was named best player, while Uttam Sawant won best defender and Reeshad Gaude best goalkeeper.
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Margao SC edge SJD Areal in opener
Margao Sports Club began their campaign in the 19th Davorlim Cup with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Sao Jose de Areal SC at the Panchayat Ground, Davorlim, on Thursday. Margao took the lead in the 17th minute when Hanshlum Furtado converted a penalty after a handball inside the box. Sao Jose de Areal quickly responded, with Bresal Viegas equalising from the spot a minute later after a foul in the danger area. Areal surged ahead in the 23rd minute through Azilton Viegas, but Margao restored parity in the 27th minute when Velito Miranda struck a free-kick from outside the box to make it 2-2 at half-time.
Both teams pressed for the winner in the second half and tested each other’s goalkeepers repeatedly. Margao eventually sealed victory in the dying minutes when Riche Vaz netted the decisive goal in the 59th minute. Mohammad Mansoori of Sao Jose de Areal was named Man of the Match.
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Betalbatim SC enter quarterfinals
MARGAO: Betalbatim Sports Club advanced to the quarterfinals of the Lourdes Festival All-Goa Inter-Village Football Tournament after edging past Our Lady of Gloria SC, Raia, 4-3 in an exciting clash at Utorda. Brenson Fernandes opened the scoring for Betalbatim early in the match. The teams were locked 2-2 at half-time, setting the stage for a gripping second half. Myron Pereira starred for Raia with a brilliant hat-trick, but Betalbatim kept pace with goals from Aniston Fernandes, Raj Kerkar and Mohammad Sortil to seal their passage into the next round. Pereira was named Man of the Match.
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Fr Faustino Memorial inter-school tourney
MARGAO: The Fr Faustino Memorial Inter-School Football Tournament will be held at Perpetual Succour Convent High School, Navelim, on February 20 and 21. The two-day tournament will feature U-10 boys and U-12 girls teams from several South Goa schools, including Our Lady of Health HS Cuncolim, Regina Mundi HS Chicalim and Rosary HS Navelim.
U-10 matches begin on February 20 from 9 am, with the final scheduled for February 21 at 10.30 am. U-12 girls matches will commence at 10 am on February 20, with the final slated for 10 am on February 21.
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Goa's Purvaja in South Zone cricket squad
PANAJI: The Goa Cricket Association has announced that Purvaja Verlekar has been selected to represent the South Zone in the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal One-Day Trophy to be held in Bengaluru from March 5 to 15. Poorva Bhaidkar has been named as standby player, while Rakshanda Pilankar will join the squad as performance analyst. The association congratulated the selected members and wished them success in the tournament.
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India women thrash Perth RedStar in friendly
MARGAO: The Indian senior women’s football team defeated Perth RedStar FC 5-0 in a closed-door friendly at Dalmatinac Park in Perth on Thursday. India led 3-0 at half-time, with Aveka Singh scoring twice and Pyari Xaxa, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam and Sanju adding a goal each. The match forms part of India’s preparations for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. India will next face Perth Azzurri on February 23 before beginning their Asian Cup campaign against Vietnam on March 4.
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GFA to hold D Licence coaching course
PANAJI: The Goa Football Association will organise a ‘D’ Licence coaching course at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, from March 2 to 7. Only 24 candidates will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested applicants have been asked to submit forms at the GFA Secretariat in Panaji.
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AIFF holds workshop for IFL match officials
MARGAO: The All India Football Federation conducted a two-day workshop for Indian Football League match officials at Football House, New Delhi, on February 18 and 19. Twenty-five officials, including 12 referees and 13 assistant referees, attended sessions led by AIFF technical educators and former FIFA referees Rowan Arumughan and CR Srikrishna. The programme included fitness tests, technical discussions and match analysis. Officials will be considered for promotion to higher levels based on performance.
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6 academy players get Man City trial chance
MARGAO: Six players from the Benaulim Constituency Football Academy have been selected to attend the Jain Sports x Manchester City Football Schools trials in Bengaluru. The selected players are Santiago Antao, Frenroy D’Cruz, Samuel De Souza, Omkar Pal, Daven Lobo and Dawson Rebello. The opportunity is expected to provide valuable exposure and development pathways for the young footballers.