PANAJI
Kaykee Youth Club Gold, Majorda got the better of Rising Star 6-2 to lift the Friendship Cup 2023.
There was no score during the first half. Though Rising Star dominated throughout the match and made several attempts at Kaykee Youth Club's goal, their goalkeeper Suraj Pednekar came to their rescue on many occasions.
Both the teams played a goalless draw during the 1st half and played at a fast pace, pressing hard to get a goal as the ball rolled from one end to another. The teams dished out a good brand of football for the Sunday crowd gathered to witness the match with Samarpan Sabbe and Saurabh Kumar combining well but their moves could not yield any results.
After resumption in the second half, Sahil Malshekar of Rising Star and attacking medio Arvin Ram had a try at the rival goal. In the 53rd minute, Shail Malshekar, the hardworking medio, scored to put Kaykee ahead in the 38th minute. Arvin Ram (3) and Shail (3) both scored a hat-trick each for Kaykee Youth Club.
Rising Star goalkeeper N Yessen twice stretched full length to bring saves from Hemleton and Greath. Two minutes before the end, Kaykee Youth Club scored through Samarpan Sabha (2) to reduce the scoreline.
Rising Star players pressed hard to get the equaliser but all the efforts made by Krishna and Ankit could not bring any result and Kaykee Youth Club Gold lifted the Friendship Cup.
The chief guest for the finals was F N Constatinho Antao, former MPT player and ex-president of AA de Majorda Club and gave away the prizes and trophies to the winners and runners-up teams and players in the presence of Alisha Periera and Ditosa Periera. Anjulo P Fernandes welcomed the gathering, while Kay Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.
