MARGAO
St Anthony's Sports Club, Assolda defeated St Anthony's Sports Club, Colva 7-6 via sudden death to emerge champions in the Cana Benaulim Panchayat Cup inter village football tournament at St John the Baptist Dando ground, Benaulim on Sunday. Both the teams were locked goalless at the end of regulation time.
Heavy rains throughout the day made the ground conditions difficult for the teams and as such, their passing was poor to say the least. Neither team could hold the possession and gave away the ball cheaply. Midway in the opening session, the Assolda's Socorro Fernandes tried his best to wriggle out through the rival defence but the ball stuck in the puddle of water. Both the goalkeepers were hardly threatened during the normal period.
At the other end, St Anthony's Sports Club, Colva hardly made an inroads as they struggled to display positional display and their moves stuck in the middle of the ground. The same trend continued in the second session as both the teams adopted a safety-first approach and occasionally went forward but the play was restricted to midfield. As the half neared the close, Joston Pereira had a rare shot which missed the target narrowly.
In the ensuing penalty shootout, Julio Fernandes, Micky Vaz, Mario Fernandes, Samson Fernandes, Sunny Fernandes, Minguel Fernandes and Johnson D'Souza were on target for the Assolda side while Romario Fernandes, Maxon Fernandes, Minguel Hilario, Dylan Fernandes, Joston Pereira and Joseph Pereira converted for the team from Colva.
St Anthony's Sports Club, Assolda were richer by Rs 50,000 while St Anthony's Sports Club, Colva had to settle for a cash prize of Rs 40,000. The following individual prizes were awarded: Best defender of final: Socorro Fernandes of St Anthony's Sports Club, Assolda; Best goalkeeper of the final: Denzil Dias of St Anthony's Sports Club, Colva; Best player of the final: Soccoro Fernandes of St Antony's Sports Club, Assolda; First scorer of the final: Romario Fernandes of St Anthony's Sports Club, Colva; Best midfielder of the final: Joston Pereira of St Anthony's Sports Club, Colva and Best forward of the final: Savio Fernandes of St Anthony's Sports Club, Assolda.
Rev Fr Lucio Dias, Episcopal Vicar South Goa and Parish Priest of St Joao de Baptist Church, Benaulim was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of Benaulim MLA Caitano R D'Silva, Camilson Fernandes, Benaulim Sarpanch Remy Fernandes, panchas and Patrick Dourado, writer and director. National awardee Liberata Rebello was felicitated at the hand of the chief guest.
