MARGAO
Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club were crowned champions of the III Cavelossim Villagers UK Cup 2025, after edging past Parish Youth Nuvem with a thrilling 3-2 win in the finals held at the Fr Druston and Wellington Ground, Cavelossim. The tournament was organized by Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim.
Played under clear skies, the final saw an early breakthrough from Nuvem as Meinsley Barreto latched onto a clever through ball from Alvito Dias and fired past Dezi Oliveira to give his side a 1-0 lead.
However, Areal found their rhythm with experienced campaigners Rayman Fernandes and Clifford Soares taking control of the midfield. A handball incident in the Nuvem box following a strike by David Colaco led to a penalty, which Bersal Viegas calmly converted to level the scores at 1-1 before halftime.
In the second half, Areal dominated proceedings. Bersal Viegas, in top form, put Areal ahead with a blistering long-range effort, making it 2-1. Minutes later, Tyson Carvalho was brought down in the box by Inacio Colaco, resulting in another spot-kick. Viegas converted again to complete his hat-trick and extend Areal’s lead to 3-1.
Nuvem did not give up easily. Jonas Colaco found the net to reduce the deficit to 3-2, sparking a late surge. However, Areal's defenders held strong in the final moments to secure their first-ever title in the tournament and the winners’ cash prize of ₹60,000 along with the championship trophy. Runners-up Parish Youth Nuvem took home ₹40,000 and a trophy.
Bibiano Fernandes, Head Coach of India U-19 National Team and former SCC Cavelossim player-coach, was the Chief Guest. He was joined by Fr. Ubaldo Fernandes (Parish Priest), Antonio Pango (Senior Vice-President, GFA), Constancio Rodrigues (President, Referees Association of Goa), Melwin D’Costa (Referees In-Charge, GFA), Laju Miranda (ex-Sarpanch, Cavelossim) and other dignitaries.
Several sports journalists were felicitated for their contributions, including Charles D'Souza (Goan Everyday), Inacio Noronha (Herald), Ganadeep Sheldekar (Navhind Times), and Sandeep Redkar (Tarun Bharat – in absentia).
Earlier, a minute of silence was observed in memory of Lourence Pereira, the late GFA Office In-Charge in South Goa.
Individual Awards
Best Defender: Leroy Colaco (Parish Youth Nuvem)
Best Midfielder: Ashnoy Gomes (Sao Jose de Areal)
Best Goalkeeper: Dezi Oliveira (Sao Jose de Areal)
Top Scorer: Meinsley Barreto (Parish Youth Nuvem)
Best Disciplined Team: CAC Cansaulim
