Brian Mendes Memorial Football tournament, on February 22 at the Dr Gustavo Stadium, Candolim
The Goan Network
Panaji
Tuff Veterans, Parra, will take on the might of Assolda Veterans kicking off the Brian Mendes Memorial Football tournament, on February 22 at the Dr Gustavo Stadium, Candolim.
The newly formed Viva North Veterans Football Club (VNVFC) will host their first tournament as a tribute to Candolim born Brian Mendes, one of the finest and promising goalkeeper, who is no more. Brain's heroics under the bar in the 1988 National Junior Championship earned glory for Goa after they beat Punjab 2-0 in the finals at the erstwhile Campal stadium. Brian donned the colours of National teams, Dempo and Sesa Goa.
The organizers, closed the entries at 16 veterans teams who have registered for the tournament from various parts of Goa.
The teams have been divided into two groups consisting of eight teams each.
Group A consists of Tuff Veterans-Parra, Vasco Veterans, Assolda Veterans, Loutolim Veterans, Candolim Veterans, Panjim Veterans, Bardez Veterans and Curtorim Veterans.
Group B will feature hosts Viva North Veterans, Siolim Veterans, Sun Moon Stars Veterans - Chandor, Tiswadi Veterans, Nuvem Veterans, Quepem Veterans, Chico Veterans -Verna and Chinchinim Veterans.
The tournament will see stars of yesteryear, like Mahesh Lotlikar of Dempo, Robert Fernandes of Salagaocar, who played for India, Arjuna Awardee Bruno Coutinho, Indian star who played for Salgaocar, Alex Alvares of Dempo, who also did duty for India, Lino Pereira former Dempo, who are the few stars among the many who will display flashes of their brilliance, at the Dr Gustavo Stadium, Candolim.
Football passionate Fr Victor Rodrigues and legendary Salu Fernandes will throw open the curtains of the first tournament of VNVFC inaugurating it as chief guest and guest of honour respectively on Monday, February 22. The finals are scheduled for March 28 and will be played under floodlights.
