MARGAO
Compassion FA, Goa finished runners up in the third edition and were unable to make it three in a row in the La Liga Foundacion, Bank of Baroda sponsored 3rd Inspire Cup All India inter academies girls U-17 football tournament, organised by the RDT’s Anantpur Sports Academy in Andhra Pradesh.
Compassion FA playing for 5 days on a trot lost a closely fought first match against Anantpur Sports Academy from Andhra Pradesh comprising most of the state team players and a few knocking on the door of the Indian national team. Compassion lost 0-3 in the final match and had to be content with the runners up trophy.
In the previous two editions they had overcome the same team and lifted the coveted trophy. Compassion FC’s India prospects Fatima Braganza and Pearl Fernandes as expected were declared the best player and highest scorer of the tournament awards in a tournament which had 8 selected academy teams from Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat and Goa.
The Goan team were off colour having played the ASA on several occasions in the recent past and the key players Pearl, Fatima and Riya were completely bottled up by the hosts knowing well the strategies and strengths of Compassion team. Four of the Goan players who did not accompany the team because of their SSC exams preparation were also missing in the squad which made a difference in the end.
However, Compassion FC’s team also playing in a four a side festival also picked up the winners prize.
Riya Patre (Captain), Fatima Braganza, Ria Rajesh, Pearl Fernandes, Amelie Nazareth, Shaundelle Gomes, Valanca Fernandes, Keya Borwankar, Gretchen Vaz, Sarita Chhetri, Prachita Gaonkar, Moncy Vaz, Pushpanjali Huddar, Gauri Hulikavi, Geuel D’Souza, Shaheen Alatgiri, Jolin Fernandes and Melriya Fernandes
The team management consisted of Prakash Khatri (Coach), Sanjay Pillarisett ( Assistant Coach), Brigid D’Souza (Manager), Syloney Fernandes (Assistant Manager).
