MARGAO
Maina Sports Club, Curtorim edged out Varca Sports Club 2-0 via the tie-breaker to win the 12th Bebe Costa Memorial Soccer Trophy in an absorbing final at St John the Baptist ground, Benaulim on Sunday.
Maina with several experienced players in their ranks were the overwhelming favourties but the minnows Varca fought gallantly but ultimately succumbed in the penalty shootout. Maina exerted pressure from the start through striker Stephen Fernandes and Anthony Cardozo but stubborn defending by Varca defenders Columban Noronha and Dylon Lima kept the scoreline blank in the first session.
The story was the same after the restart but Varca came close through striker Jonas Costa but the striker's effort went just wide. Midway in the session, Maina defender Savio Fernandes went up for a flag kick and his header flew inches over the bar. In the closing stages, Varca winger Joylon Cordozo, receiving a fine pass of medio Quelon Fernandes, struck a left-footer but it was collected well by the Maina goalkeeper Johnson Bhagat.
In the tie-breaker, Maina netted through Edwin Sequeira and Placidino Fernandes. But Joy
Hilario blasted wide for Varca and the pressure was too much for them as none of the players converting with Elvis Fernandes, Dylon Lima, Joylon Cardozo and Columban Noronha all failing in their attempts.
Indra Costa, Managing Director of Costa and Company was the chief guest and gave away the winners cash prize and trophies. Maina SC were richer by Rs 40,000 and a trophy while Varca Sports Club had to settle for Rs 30,000/- and a trophy.
Individual prizes: Best Defender of Tournament - Columban Noronha - Varca SC; Best Striker of Tournament - Steven Fernandes - Maina SC; Best Goalkeeper of Tournament - Carmo Rebello - Varca SC; Best Midfielder of Tournament - Abel Noronha - Maina SC; Best Player of Tournament - Jonas Costa - Varca SC; Best Defender of Finals - Mayson Fernandes - Maina SC; Best Midfielder of Finals - Edwin Sequeira - Maina SC; Best Goalkeeper of Finals - Johnson Bhagat - Maina SC; Best Striker of the Finals - Joylon Cardozo - Varca SC; Promising Player of the Tournament - Quelon Fernandes - Varca SC; Man of the Finals - Savio Fernandes - Maina SC.
