MARGAO
Verna Sports Club got the better of Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda by 6-5 via tie-breaker to lift the 17th All Goa Guirdolim Panchayat Cup, at Chandor Church Sports Complex, on Sunday.
The match started with Verna dominating proceedings and they almost took the lead in the second minute but Ajoy Satorker's powerful strike from the top of the box was brilliantly saved by the Fatorda keeper. Cyrus Noronha scored the first goal of the match for Verna in the ninth minute with a header off a corner kick to make it 1-0 in favour of Verna.
Stung by the early goal, Fatorda regrouped with Andrade, Hanslum and Cliff combining well but Jose Silveira the Verna keeper kept them at bay with excellent goalkeeping. Both teams failed to score any more goals till the break due to good goalkeeping by both the keepers.
Changing over, Verna continued dominating with Imamsab and Romario missing a couple of easy chances for Verna. In the 45th minute, a long range effort by Verna's Romario hit the crossbar and went out of play. Francis Andrade of Fatorda unleashed a powerful volley with his left foot in the 48th minute which was saved by the Verna keeper diving full length. Hanslum of Fatorda tried his luck from top of the box but was denied by Jose the Verna keeper diving full length to his left. Just as it looked like the match would end in favour of Verna, Hanslum of Fatorda took advantage of a goal mouth mele to score the equaliser for Fatorda in the 57th minute. Ajoy of Verna almost scored in the last minute but his crisp strike hit the upright and went out of play. The match thus ended 1-1 at regulation time.
In the resultant tie-breaker Andrus, Ajay, Romario, Cyrus and Frazer scored for Verna while for Don Bosco Necil, Francis, Cavin and Mario were successful.
Earlier the teams were introduced to the Chief Guest Altone D'costa, MLA of Quepem Constituency, Melissa Alemao, Fr Jean Da Cruz, PP of Chandor, Fr James Torres, Chaplin of Guirdolim, Sonia Fernandes, Sarpanch of VP Guirdolim and other dignitaries.
Individual awards
Best goalkeeper of the finals: Jose Silveira (Verna Sports Club)
Best defender of the finals: Cyrus Noronha (Verna Sports Club)
Best midfielder of the finals: Romario Da Costa (Verna Sports Club)
Best striker of the Finals: Francis Andrade (Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda)
Man of the match: Romario Da Costa (Verna Sports Club)
Player of the tournament: Jose Silveira (Verna Sports Club)
