MARGAO
Ambelim SC clinched victory in a thrilling final of the 2nd Fr Bruno Leitao Memorial Cup, defeating Navelim Sporting 2-1.
The All Goa 8-a-side inter-village football tournament, organized by the Union of Chinchinim Villagers, concluded with an exciting match at the Chinchinim Church Ground.
The match started with a close call for Ambelim SC in the 3rd minute when Navelim Sporting’s Ronaldo Gomes had his shot brilliantly saved by Ambelim’s goalkeeper, Benny Silva. In the 8th minute, Benny Silva turned from saviour to scorer with a direct kick that beat Navelim’s goalkeeper, Jeet Gupta, putting Ambelim ahead 1-0.
Navelim Sporting intensified their attack, but Benny Silva continued to shine, making a crucial goal-line save in the 14th minute from a shot by Prestly Gomes. In the 21st minute, Ambelim’s Asfin Pinto made a dangerous run, but his shot narrowly missed the target as Jeet Gupta closed the angle effectively.
The first half ended with Ambelim SC leading 1-0. In the second half, Navelim Sporting adopted a more aggressive approach. Their efforts paid off in the 46th minute when Velington Almeida scored a clean strike to equalize, making it 1-1.
However, Ambelim SC responded quickly: in the 51st minute, a well-coordinated move between Asfin Pinto and Samson Fernandes saw Samson net the ball, restoring Ambelim’s lead to 2-1. In the dying moments, Benny Silva made another crucial save, deflecting a shot from Michael Silva to secure the win.
The prizes were awarded by Fr Victor Viegas, Fr Christopher Fernandes, Cruz Silva (MLA, Velim Constituency), Altone D’Costa (MLA, Quepem Constituency), Valentino Barretto (Sarpanch, VP Chinchinim), Julio Fernandes (ZP Member, Velim Constituency), and Panchayat Members of VP Chinchinim.
Individual Prizes: Best Goalkeeper and 1st Scorer: Benny Silva (Ambelim SC); Best Defender: Venito Costa (Navelim Sporting); Best Midfielder: Blasco Fernandes (Ambelim SC); Best Forward: Ronaldo Pereira (Navelim Sporting); Player of the Final: Asfin Pinto (Ambelim SC).
