MARGAO
ABC Sports Club Arambol triumphed 8-7 in a thrilling tiebreaker over Sao Jose de Areal to win the 46th Cana Benaulim Soccer Championship at the Panchayat Ground on Sunday.
After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, Arambol held their nerve in the penalty shootout to claim the coveted title and a cash prize of Rs 60,000.
The match, played in front of a large Sunday crowd and under pleasant weather, was an intense contest. Both teams displayed attacking intent but were equally solid in defence, resulting in a goalless first half.
Sao Jose de Areal broke the deadlock early in the second half when Alvito Moura scored in the 33rd minute, sending their supporters into a frenzy. However, Arambol responded strongly, repeatedly testing Areal goalkeeper Aggie Antao, who was later named the Best Goalkeeper of the Finals. The equaliser came in the 44th minute from Arambol’s Pranesh, who fired a powerful shot from outside the box to level the score.
With the match still tied at 1-1 after full time, the game went into a tense tiebreaker, where Arambol eventually triumphed 8-7 to lift the trophy.
The awards ceremony followed the final, where trophies and individual accolades were presented by Chief Guest Armando Colaco (Dronacharya Awardee), Captain Venzy Viegas (MLA Benaulim), Dr Caitano Fernandes (President of the Goa Football Association), Antonio Pango (Vice President of GFA), and other dignitaries.
AWARDS
