Azilton Viegas receives the Player of the Match award.
MARGAO
Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club booked their place in the semifinals of the 15th Wilred Leisure Football Tournament with a 3-1 win over Cortalim Gymkhana in the quarterfinals played at the Dysa ground, Curtorim. Cortalim Gymkhana started brightly and created several chances, testing the goalkeeper on multiple occasions, but failed to convert. Sao Jose de Areal, however, made the most of their opportunities, with Azilton Viegas scoring twice in quick succession in the 22nd and 23rd minutes to give his side a 2-0 lead at half-time.
After the break, Cortalim Gymkhana pushed hard to get back into the contest but struggled to make their chances count. Sao Jose de Areal players Josley Gomes and Steven Gomes also came close to extending the lead. Cortalim finally pulled one back in the 37th minute through Shubert Pereira to reduce the deficit to 2-1. However, Sao Jose de Areal sealed the match in the final quarter, with Steven Gomes scoring the third goal to confirm their spot in the semifinals. Azilton Viegas, who netted a brace, was named Player of the Match.
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BFC appoint Medeira youth development head
MARGAO: Bengaluru FC on Wednesday appointed former India head coach Savio Medeira as the club’s head of youth development, strengthening its focus on nurturing homegrown talent. Medeira, who brings over two decades of coaching and technical experience, will oversee the club’s youth structure and help streamline the pathway from grassroots to the senior team. A former India national team coach and technical director, Medeira has also held key roles in coach education and has been associated with several successful stints in Indian football.
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East Bengal vs Odisha FC clash shifted to Goa
MARGAO: The Indian Super League (ISL) match between East Bengal FC and Odisha FC on April 28 will be played in Goa. The fixture, originally scheduled as a home game for East Bengal, has been moved in the backdrop of the upcoming Bengal elections on April 23 and 29, which have made it difficult to organise matches in Kolkata due to logistical and security constraints. The scheduling disruption has also impacted other key fixtures. East Bengal’s April 14 derby against Mohun Bagan Super Giant was postponed, while the much-anticipated return Kolkata derby between the two sides has been pushed back by 12 days. The match, originally slated for May 5 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, will now be played on May 17, with the kick-off time remaining unchanged.
