MARGAO
Saligao United scored a hard-fought solitary goal win over hosts Goa Velha Sports Club to move into the quarterfinals of the 15th London Trophy Inter-village Football Tournament 2023 organised by Goa Velha Sports Club at on Goa Velha Sports Club ground on Sunday.
The only goal of the match was scored by veteran Michael Dias, who shot home beating the Goa Velha keeper Pratik Kankonkar in the very 4th minute of play. Goa Velha went all out but failed to get the equaliser with Bhavesh Gauns missing a glorious opportunity in the last minute of play with only the Saligao keeper to beat.
Paulo Joao of Saligao United was awarded the Man of the Match prize by Andre D'Silva, a life member of Goa Velha SC.
Navelim Sporting down 9-man Varca SC
In a match involving frayed tempers, Navelim Sporting Club overcame a spirited challenge to defeat Varca Sports Club by a solitary goal to book a spot in the finals of the Afonso Aguiar inter-village football tournament organised by Cuncolim Union.
Discipline took a beating with the second half seeing repeated interruptions even as tempers flared earning Varca two red cards, reducing them to nine men. The lone goal was scored by Clinton Niasso in the 7th minute of the first half, which earned him the Man of the Match prize.
Both teams started with a cautious approach but Navelim’s methodical play got them the first and only goal before aggressive play by Varca in the second half resulted in reckless tackles, earning them seven yellow cards. The officials had a hard time in keeping the match under control before Varca goalkeeper Mohammed Shaikh and midfielder Clavis Gonsalves were expelled. Navelim will now meet Don Bosco Oratory in the finals.
Indian Masters National badminton c'ships begin
The 45th Indian Masters National Badminton Championships 2022-2023 kicked off simultaneously at Navelim and Fatorda on Sunday with a flurry of exciting matches. The tournament, which is being held at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor stadium in Navelim as the main venue, will continue till March 26.
On the first day of the championships, action began simultaneously at the Indoor stadiums in Navelim and Fatorda, where a total of 633 matches were held, featuring around 800 players. Qualifying rounds were played in the categories of 35+, 40+, 45+ and 50+ age groups to qualify for the Main Draw which is scheduled in the evening session on March 20. The qualifying matches will continue in the morning and afternoon sessions of day two of the championships on March 20.
