PANAJI
In was not so good day for Goan contingent at the 4th Khelo India Youth Games as the State team's campaign in football came to an unexpected early end after they lost to Kerala 1-0 in a do-or-die match at the Punjab University Football Ground on Thursday.
Kerala took the lead in the 8th minute through striker Aman CK. The score remained 1-0 in favour of Kerala till the final whistle.
The Goan boys did try to come back in the game with different variations, combinations and formations. Goalkeeper Eknath Rathod was substituted in the 46th minute and substitute goalkeeper Mahadev was brought in, who made some excellent saves for Goa.
Defender Maristo of Panjim Footballers was also withdrawn and Aniket of Churchill Bros was injected to bring some impetus. Later Valpoi lad, the goal scorer against Punjab, was also pulled out in the 80th minute with Chirag replacing him. But the rock solid Kerala defence did not allow much room to the Goan forwardline.
Mizoram, 7 points with 2 wins (Goa/Kerala) 1 draw (Punjab) and Kerala with 4 points from 1 loss (Mizoram), 1 draw (Punjab) & 1 win (Goa) qualified for the knockout stages of the competition from Group A.
In the swimming competition, much was expected from swimmer Sanjana Prabhugaonkar but she finished fourth in the 100m backstroke event with a timing of 1:08:17. Ridhima Veeredrakumar of Karnataka (1:05:14) won the gold ahead of Nina Venkatesh of Karnataka, who won the silver with a timing of 1:07:51. Palak Joshi of Maharashtra took the bronze medal with timing of 1:07:85.
On Friday, Sanjana will compete in the 50m backstroke. In boxing, Goa's medal hopeful pugilist Suman Yadav brought some cheer to the Goan contingent when she won her first round bout, beating a Sikkim pugilist 5-0. Suman's second round bout is scheduled for June 11. Meanwhile in Mallakhamb, the Goan girls' team secured sixth place in the competition with 28 States participating. One Goan Mallakhamb athlete was selected to perform a special demo with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in the audience among other dignitaries.
