MARGAO
Tamil Nadu won the National Masters Women’s Football Festival, organised by the Karuna Football Foundation’s Compassion FC, defeating Goa in the tiebreaker after a goalless draw during the regulation time.
In the final held at the SVD ground, Raia, the visitors prevailed 2-1 with goals scored by Vasanthi and Pushpa while Linet was the only one to score for hosts Goa. Although the match was totally dominated by the Goan team through captain Laura and Julie,
Tamil Nadu goalkeeper Eliza F stole the limelight by executing some excellent saves which helped her side maintain a goalless draw. The form that she showed made it amply clear that it would be difficult for the Goan women to get past her in the tiebreaker and so was the case as she made four saves from the five kicks.
In an exhibition match prior to the finals, Super Moms YFA lost by a solitary goal to the Rest of India side. The winning goal was scored by Seena, a former international player from Kerala. Individual awards were presented to the oldest player of the festival, 67-year-old former international player Ritina Pereira from Goa and the best goalkeeper award went to Santa Kumari of Kerala.
The top scorer prize was claimed by captain Laura from Goa with a total of six goals. The best player of the festival award was given to Tamil Nadu goalkeeper Frangither Eliza. In other awards, Karnataka received the award for being the most disciplined team while Maharashtra was named as the most promising team. Kerala with 6 points (1 win and 3 draws during the league stage) finished third.
Quepem MLA Altone D'Costa along with CSR Head of Vedanta Group, Leena Vernekar, SVD Director Fr Joaquim, GFA vice-president Anthony Pango and Melroy Moura, Head, Sesa Football Academy, were the guests for the closing ceremony.
