MARGAO
Both Goan teams, Perpetual Succour Convent High School, Navelim, Salcete and 01 Goa Battalion NCC, crashed out of the Subroto Mukerjee Under-15 football tournament in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The Navelim school, which needed a win in their last group match, drew 0-0 with St Stephen's School, Sector-45 B, Chandigarh and thus finished second in the group behind group leaders St Stephen which qualified as group leaders to the quarterfinals. The Chandigarh school finished with seven points, two wins and one draw against the Goan school which tallied five points from one win and two draws. 01 Goa Battalion NCC, on the other hand, lost two matches in the group and won one and thus could not qualify.
Batora United down Madel SC 2-0
MARGAO: In a well-fought contest on Wednesday, hosts Batora United emerged victorious against Madel Sports Club with a 2-0 win, securing their place in the quarterfinals of the Batora United 9-a-side Football Tournament at the St Alex Church Ground in Curtorim. The game began with both teams having equal chances to score, but neither could capitalise on their opportunities, resulting in a 0-0 scoreline at halftime. The second half saw a turning point when Batora United were awarded a penalty, which Shoun Dias confidently converted. Madel quickly regrouped and launched several attacks on the Batora United defence. However, the hosts' defence held strong and prevented any scoring chances. Batora United then extended their lead with a goal from Velenko, sealing the 2-0 victory. Velenko of Batora United was named Man of the Match, an award presented by Peter Fernandes, a club member.
North Veterans win exhibition match
MARGAO: Their knees may have become a tad weak, their hair grey. But the fire in the belly is the same. They are still going strong. Observers wonder what keeps these men in their forties going when most footballers would have retired or taken up coaching assignments. In an event for the veterans, North Veterans defeated South Goa Veterans 3-1 in an exhibition match at Duler Ground, Mapusa.
Fatorda, Kolkata, North Chennai Veterans win
MARGAO: Fatorda Veterans, Uttarakhand, Kolkata, Kolkata Masters B, North Chennai and Ilhas Veterans move ahead in the Pogo Cup Veterans invitational football tournament played at Merces church ground on Wednesday. Fatorda defeated Rahulain Veterans Pune 7-0, Uttarakhand got a walkover, Kolkata defeated UK Masters Uttarakhand 4-1, Kolkata Masters B defeated Macabbi Veterans Mumbai 1-0, North Chennai Veterans defeated Chandor Veterans 2-0 while Ilhas Veterans defeated Rahlian Veterans Pune 4-0.
