MARGAO
Navelim Sporting Club prevailed over Nuvem Sports Club 6-4 via the tiebreaker to be crowned champions of the 12th Cana-Benaulim Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament organized by Cana Benaulim Sporting Association at St John the Baptist ground, Dando Benaulim on Sunday. The teams were tied 2-2 at full time.
Incessant rains made life difficult for the players, but Nuvem Sports Club adapted better to the heavy ground conditions. Jonas Colaco and Meislein Barreto of Nuvem SC missed scoring opportunities at the start of the match. Later, Prestley Gomes and Ariston Costa failed to find the net for Navelim.
Nuvem SC took the lead through Alvito Dias in the 26th minute. Two minutes later, Joywin Costa doubled the advantage with a neat placement. The teams played attacking football in the second session. With only five minutes left for the final whistle, Navelim Sporting equalized with two quick strikes through prolific striker Clinton Niasso and Prestley Gomes to extend the game to penalties.
In the tiebreaker, Nash Pereira, Myran Gomes, Sadroy Costa and Clinton Niasso netted for Navelim Sporting Club while Joywin Costa and Meislein Barreto found the target for Nuvem SC.
Navelim SC were awarded Rs 60,000 while runners-up Nuvem Sports Club had to be content with a prize of Rs 40000 and the trophies. Dr Caetano Fernandes, president of Goa Football Association, was the chief guest and handed over the prizes in the presence of Fr Anthony Carvalho, Parish airman of St John the Baptista Church, Xavier F, sarpanch of Cana-Benaulim, Anthony Pango, Anthony Fernandes, Mam Andrew Ferrao, Charles Fernandes, Royala Fernandes and other dignitaries.
Individual prizes: Best player of the tournament - Cipriano Barreto (ABC Arambol), Best player of the final - Jonas Colaco (Nuvem SC), First scorer of the final- Alvito Dias (Nuvem SC), Best midfielder of the final- Inacio Colaco (Nuvem SC), Best defender of the final - Aden Pereira (Navelim SC), Best disciplined team - ABC Arambol.
