MARGAO
FC Siolim were crowned champions of the 1st All Goa Mansion House Football Cup 2025 after edging out Curtorim Gymkhana 6-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Government School Playground, Cuncolim, on Sunday.
The final had ended 2-2 in regulation time, before Siolim held their nerve in the tiebreaker to clinch the title and a winners’ purse of Rs 60,000. Curtorim Gymkhana settled for the runners-up trophy and Rs 40,000.
The contest lived up to its billing, filled with grit, goals, and tension. Curtorim struck first in the 12th minute through talisman Anslem Fernandes. Siolim responded in the 25th minute with a powerful equaliser from Gaurav Vaigankar. Just before the interval, both sides traded close chances, keeping the crowd on edge.
In the second half, Siolim’s Pushparaj Mandrekar put his side ahead in the 45th minute, only for Anslem to net his second in the 60th minute to restore parity. With neither side able to break the deadlock, the final went to penalties.
Siolim’s Mayuresh Naik, Gaurav Vaigankar, Pushparaj Mandrekar, and Lavnay Shirodkar all converted their spot-kicks, while Curtorim managed just one through Savio Peixoto. The shootout sealed Siolim’s triumph and their place in Goan football history as the first-ever winners of the Mansion House Cup.
The prizes and trophies were presented by Sports Minister Dr Ramesh Tawadkar, Cuncolim MLA and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Tilaknagar Industries State Head Vineet Kumar Bothra, and other dignitaries including Landry Mascarenhas, Fr Eremito Coutinho, Artemio Da Silva, Lavita Mascarenhas, Siddesh Kurade, Sailesh Vaidya, Angela Dias, and Melvin Costa.
The evening closed under the floodlights with jubilant Siolim players lifting the trophy as their fans erupted in celebration. The function was compered by Vijay Kumar Kopre Dessai.
INDIVIDUAL HONOURS
- Best Goalkeeper: Johnson Bhagat (Curtorim Gymkhana)
- Best Midfielder: Videsh Sawant (FC Siolim)
- Best Player: Mayuresh Naik (FC Siolim)
- Best Defender: James Fernandes (Curtorim Gymkhana)
- Best Striker: Pushparaj Mandrekar (FC Siolim)
