MARGAO
Assonora United Football Club were crowned champions of 22nd Vagator Soccer 2022 organised by Vagator Parish Youth Sports Club as they defeated Raia Sporting Club 5-4 via tiebreaker in an absorbing final at Vagator Parish Youth Sports Club Ground, Ozran, on Sunday.
Raia Sporting in the 26th minute had a chance to score the opening goal when a cross by Eldon Colaco from the right flank found Velito Cruz but he couldn't guide his header into the net. Assonora United were awarded a 30-yard free kick in the 32nd minute which was taken by Akash Kudnekar and it was tipped over the bar by the fingertips of Movin Gauncar of Raia Sporting.
On the brink of half time, Raia could have taken the lead when Velito Cruz sent a through ball to Lloyd Cardozo, who was denied by the Assonora keeper Sanij Bugde with a crucial save.
On crossing ends in the 43rd minute, Assonora's Prajat Naik's pass from the left flank to Sattyam Gaawas missed by a whisker. Raia could have taken the lead in the 54th minute but Joyson Gauncar missed an overhead kick. In a chance for Raia in the 61st minute, Jouston Barbosa's shot was saved by the Assonora goalkeeper Sanij Bugde and the regulation period ended goalless.
Moving into the tiebreaker, Kunal, Prajot, Rajesh, Saahil and Punaji scored for Assonora while Akash and Tushar failed to score. For Raia, Lloyd, Daniel, Eldon and Movin scored but Jouston, Velito and Sweden couldn't find the net.
The winners were awarded a prize money of Rs 70,000 plus trophy while the runners-up received Rs 50,000 plus trophy. Chief guest Delilah Lobo, the Silolim MLA, gave away the prizes in the presence of guest of honour Samar Merchant (proprietor of Waters) and Girish Raga (proprietor of Ashray Real Estate Developers).
Individual awards: Man of the match - Sanij Bugde (Assonora), Best striker of the final - Lloyd Cardozo (Raia), Best midfielder of the final - Velito Cruz (Raia), Best defender of the final - Daniel Gomes (Raia), Best goalkeeper of the final - Sanij Bugde (Assonora).
