PANAJI
The 4th Vedanta Youth Cup, hosted by Sesa Football Academy, came to a thrilling conclusion with Bengaluru FC edging out AIFF FIFA Talent Academy by a solitary goal to be crowned ‘Champions’.
The final match was an exciting demonstration of young football talent, with both teams matching the other in skill and application. Primarily a mid-field contest, premised on possession and quick transitions that the teams relied on to counter the wet ground conditions posed by the heavy rains. The deadlock was broken in the 89th minute when Bengaluru converted a set piece corner, with Hrishikesh Charan Nanarathi powering a half volley to score the all-important strike.
The victorious Bengaluru FC received the winner’s trophy as well as a cash prize of 1 lac from Dronacharya Awardee & top coach Armando Colaco and the runner up team receiving Rs 70,000 from Laxman Hadfadkar, Executive Member, Goa Football Association. The summit clash received encouragement from several prominent individuals from the football fraternity including Mohd Faizal Md. So’od, AFC Beach Soccer Instructor & India Beach Soccer Head Coach, Daliwza Deena Binti Salihin, Executive Member for Women Football Association in Malaysia, and Mr. Vivek Nagul, Head of Coach Development, All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Hrishikesh Charan Manarathi from Bengaluru FC was adjudged the ‘Player of the Tournament’ & ‘Player of the Match’, with Leivon Thangalur Kom from Muthoot FA being adjudged ‘Most Promising Player’, Dhannya Harshit Desai from Bengaluru FC won the ‘Best Goalkeeper’ award, with Prathyush Dev (Muthoot FA) being adjudged the ‘Best Goalkeeper’ of the tournament. The title of the ‘Best Defender’ was bestowed upon Jinesh Thoudam from the AIFF FIFA Talent Academy. Cortalim Villagers received the ‘fair play’ award.
