PANAJI
Hosts St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, advanced to the next round after edging Agnel Institute of Engineering and Management, Assagao, 6-5 in a penalty shootout in the opening match of the Late Rev. Dr Nicolau Pereira 100th Birth Anniversary Intercollegiate Football Tournament (Men) at the St Xavier’s College ground, Mapusa, on Monday.
The tournament, organised by the Department of Physical Education and Sports, St Xavier’s College, is part of the birth centenary celebrations of Late Rev. Dr Nicolau Pereira (1926-2026). The event features 16 collegiate teams and celebrates the legacy and values of the late educator and visionary leader.
The opening match produced a keen contest. St Xavier’s were awarded a first-half penalty, but the Agnel goalkeeper made a crucial save to keep the game goalless at the break. Agnel Institute then earned a penalty in the second half and converted it to take the lead. The hosts responded with a late equaliser to force a shootout, where St Xavier’s prevailed 6-5.
Government College, Sanquelim, recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Don Bosco College, Panjim, while M.E.S. College, Zuarinagar, and Swami Vivekanand College, Borim, played out a goalless draw. M.E.S. College won the subsequent tie-breaker.
On Tuesday, D.M.'s College of Assagao defeated Fr Agnel College, Pilar, 3-0, while S.S. Dempo College, Cujira, registered the biggest win of the tournament so far, thrashing Goa College of Music 7-0.
The inaugural programme was attended by Principal Ursula Barreto, Vice-Principal Prof Filipe Rodrigues e Melo, Sandra Fernandes, along with faculty, staff and students.
The players were blessed by Rev. Dr Ramiro Luis before the tournament trophies were unveiled by chief guest Milton Fernandes and guest of honour Mandar Rao Dessai.
The tournament, being held from August 31 to September 7, features St Xavier’s College, Mapusa; Agnel Institute of Engineering and Management, Assagao; Government College, Sanquelim; Don Bosco College, Panjim; M.E.S. College, Zuarinagar; Swami Vivekanand College, Borim; D.M.'s College of Assagao; Fr Agnel College, Pilar; S.S. Dempo College, Cujira; Goa College of Music; Sridora Caculo College, Mapusa; Goa Medical College, Bambolim; Government College, Quepem; Vidya Prabodhini College, Porvorim; Government College, Khandola; and C.E.S. College, Cuncolim.
