Sai Avtar looked composed, having won all their previous matches via penalties and true to form, they kept their cool in a pressure situation with Vinayak Mulgaonkar, Tanay Naik, Saprem Divkar, Rama Parsekar, Soma Korgaonkar, Akshay Dabholkar and Jesmon Carvalho converting their shots. For Holy Cross Arambol, Amit Fernandes, Sunny D'Souza, Stepiton Fernandes, Hari Parab, Jason Fernandes, Anant Gad converted their spot kicks but Simon Fernandes' shot was denied by a brilliant save by Soma Korgaonkar, whose effort ensured his team would be crowned champions
The Goan Network
Margao
Sai Avtar Sports Club, Anjuna inscribed its name on the glittering HQ-NRB 43rd Bandodkar memorial football trophy as they shunted out Holy Cross Sports Club, Arambol 7-6 via penalties in an absorbing final organised by Baina Sports Club at MPT grounds, Vasco, on Sunday.
Sai Avtar were the dominant team in the first half, with the Holy Cross boys opening on an uncharacteristically tentative note. It was Holy Cross who had the first real chance in the 12th minute when a corner kick taken by Dietmar Fernandes found Bruno Fernandes, who failed to keep the ball down as it sailed above the goal post. Sai Avtar regained the upper hand and continued to push forward. In the 19th minute, a dangerous ball by Nitesh Salgaonkar elicited a timely interception by Bruno Fernandes.
Tanay Naik pounced on to the deflection but his weak attempt was saved by the Holy Cross goalkeeper, Kevin D'Souza.
Bruno Fernandes would deny Tanay Naik again 3 minutes later when he blocked a strong free kick taken by the latter from outside the box.
Sai Avtar came close again in the 31st minute when Pavan Dhargalkar failed to connect to a corner kick taken by Tanay Naik, in the ensuing scramble, a left shot taken by Navin Shirodkar was just wide of the target.
After a goalless first half, Holy Cross, Arambol, began to find their groove in the opening minutes of the second half.
In the 40th minute, Kirtikesh Gadekar of Holy Cross, provided a curling cross to Simon Fernandes, who was on target but was denied by a spectacular save by Sai Avtar's Soma
Korgaonkar.
In the 44th minute, Holy Cross came close to scoring again when a powerful shot taken by Stepition Fernandes from 40 yards out narrowly missed the target.
In the 45th minute, a dangerous ball from Stepition Fernandes aimed at Dietmar Fernandes who was lurking ominously inside box was denied again by a flying Soma Korgaonkar, who made yet another crucial interception by diving right on a hard, patchy outfield. The Sai Avtar team had a few anxious moments as the goalie was in agony due to the hard fall, but to their relief, he was fit to continue.
In the 55th minute, Sai Avtar looked to get ahead when a cross by Pavan Dhargalkar from the left flank was pounced on to by Navin Shirodkar, whose shot went straight to the Holy Cross custodian.
Sai Avtar were on target three minutes later when a free kick taken from outside the box by substitute, Saprim Divkar, was saved by the Holy Cross goalkeeper, Kevin D'Souza.
In the 60th minute, a scorching shot taken by Tanay Naik of Sai Avtar, was just wide of the target.
In the 62nd minute, Holy Cross had an opportunity to go ahead when a curling cross from Dietmar Fernandes was headed wide by Hari Parab.
Both teams pushed hard for the elusive winner in the dying minutes but neither team could get ahead and the match was left to be decided via tie-breaker.
Sai Avtar looked composed, having won all their previous matches via penalties and true to form, they kept their cool in a pressure situation with Vinayak Mulgaonkar, Tanay Naik, Saprem Divkar, Rama Parsekar, Soma Korgaonkar, Akshay Dabholkar and Jesmon Carvalho converting their shots. For Holy Cross Arambol, Amit Fernandes, Sunny D'Souza, Stepiton Fernandes, Hari Parab, Jason Fernandes, Anant Gad converted their spot kicks but Simon Fernandes' shot was denied by a brilliant save by Soma Korgaonkar, whose effort ensured his team would be crowned champions.
The dignitaries present for the finals were Power Minister, Milind Naik, Jyoti L Bandekar, Vasu Nair representing chief sponsors HQ-NRB and Krishna Salkar. The prizes and trophies for
the players and scholarships for meritorious students were handed over by them.
Sai Avtar Sports Club, Anjuna were richer by Rs 55,000 as they lifted the Rolling Shield of Late D B Bandodkar, Rolling Trophy of Babush Machado and a take-away trophy.
Holy Cross Sports Club, Arambol, had to be content with Rs 45,000, Rolling Trophy of Late Teo Carvalho and a take-away trophy.
Earlier, players of both teams were introduced to the dignitaries Jyoti L Bandekar, Milind Naik Power Miniser, Vasu Nair and Krishna Salkar. Andrew Rodrigues welcomed, Joe Sequeira compered and the vote of thanks was given by Tulsidas Naik of Baina Sports Club.
Prizes
Semi-final losers: Plierne Sports Club, Pilerne and Don Bosco
Oratory, Fatordo received Rs 15,000 each.
The following received Rs 5000 each: Highest scoring team of the tournament: Holy Cross Sports Club, Arambol; Highest scoring player: Stepiton Fernandes of Holy Cross Sports Club, Arambol;
Best goalkeeper of the tournament: Soma Korgaonkar of Sai Avtar Sports
Club, Anjuna; Best Disciplined team: Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda; Upcoming/Promising player of the tournament: Nitesh Salgaonkar of Sai Avtar Sports Club, Anjuna; Student securing highest mark in 10th Std. SSC in Baina Area, Danica Colaco of Deepvihar High School recieved Rs 5,000
scholarship donated by Sameer Kakodkar in the name of his grandfather Late D B Bandodkar.
