Basil Sylvester Pinto
MAPUSA
The finals of the inaugural edition of the Premier Futsal League held at Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa on Sunday had all the ingredients of a befitting finale.
The game level at 1-1 at regulation time went to a penalty shootout. But with the penalties exchange at two goals each after five strikes each, with Chaguinha and Gekabert (Kochi 5s) and Angellot and Perez (Mumbai 5s) finding the back of the nets, the game boiled down to a pulsating sudden death and the winner was finally decided in ironical fashion. Arguably the world’s best futsal custodian, Luis Amado (Mumbai 5s) made no mistake with his try against his opposite number, while Kochi 5s goalie Casalone could not hold his nerve and sent his kick way off the right post.
In the regulation time, the first quarter was all about Kochi 5s' dominance. And the constant pressure on the Mumbai 5s backline finally bore fruition in the 9th minute when Chaguinha’s pass to Deives Moraes, a pair marauding in tandem, saw the latter neatly drill a shot inside the left post. Mumbai 5s made a very spirited effort to level scores in the second quarter. Mumbai 5s pivot, the stocky Foglia, was all over the Kochi 5s half and made a couple of early efforts but on both instances Kochi 5s' Deives Moraes walled a path between him and the goal. This stayed the pattern through the quarter with Kochi 5s thwarting every Foglia attempt for an equalizer.
Then it was all about the combine of Chaguinha and Moraes looking to increase the lead, while Mumbai 5s' Foglia looked the main threat for his team. Ryan Giggs made a couple of good efforts into the Kochi 5s terrain but the team from the south stood astute in defence. Towards the end of the quarter, Angellot, the Colombian with Mumbai 5s, made an attempt at goal but a sliding tackle by Moraes (Kochi 5s) warded off the danger.
In the final quarter, Foglia tried a brilliant reverse header at goal from a throw from his goalie, Amado. As the game wound into the closing stages, Mumbai 5s continued to press for the equalizer but Kochi 5s were not letting up on the slenderest of leads. With time running out, Foglia's blistering strike came off the right post to his misfortune. But the tide was to turn for his side moments later when Angellot juggled the ball near the goal and found the back of the nets in the 38th minute.
At the prize distribution ceremony Jonathan Piers (Bengaluru 5s) was awarded the Best Indian Player, Angellot (Mumbai 5s) received the Golden Armband for netting the most goals in the tournament (8) though tied with Foglia (Mumbai 5s) and Chaguinha (Kochi 5s) with as many goals, but was given the award as he had the most assists in the tourney. The Most Valuable Player of the Tournament award was given to Chaguinha (Kochi 5s).
