MARGAO
Hosts Varca SC prevailed over Arlem Youth Association 5-4 via the tiebreaker to win the final of the Varca Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament, organised by Varca Sports Club, on Sunday.
Arlem Youth took early control of the match and had scoring opportunities but Elroy Rodrigues and Sanjiro Pango wasted them. At the other end, backed by the home crowd, Varca went into attacking mode and came close to going in front in the 29th minute as Aaron Rodrigues shot wide.
The second half turned livelier as the teams were desperate in search of an elusive match-winner. Varca went all out and Clayton Luis' snap shot kissed the right post. In the tiebreaker, Varca netted through Mohammed Shaikh, Aaron Rodrigues, Salim Sadekar, Clovis Gonsalves and Joylon Cardozo and for Arlem Youth, Allwyn Dias, Joswel Cardozo, Sweden Barbosa and Eldon Colaco scored.
Varca Sports Club were richer by Rs 40,000 while Arlem Youth Association had to settle for Rs 30,000. Individual prizes: Best striker of the final - Garrison Fernandes of Arlem Youth Association; Best defender of the final - Allwyn Dias of Arlem Youth, Nash Duas of Varca SC, Best midfielder of the final -- Nash Dias of Varca SC stint, First goal of the final - Joylon Cardozo of Varca SC, Best goalkeeper of the final - Muhammed Shaikh, Best disciplined team - Sao Jose de Areal; Winning goal of the final - Velroy Borges (Varca SC); Man of the tournament -- Eldon Colaco of Arlem Youth Association.
Fr Louis Alvares, parish priest of Our Lady of Gloria, Church, Varca was the chief guest and gave away the prizes to the winners and runner-up in the presence of Selu Fernandes, sarpanch of Varca. Alvito D'Cunha, former international footballer, Fr Stifan Rebello and Bevan Rebello and other members of Varca Panchayat.
