Cyril Dias of United Boys Ambaulim receives the Player of the Match award.
MARGAO
Margao United Boys of Ambaulim registered a comfortable 3-1 victory over Ugem Rising Club to advance to the semi-finals of the United Trophy, organised by United Club of Telaulim at the Rosary Church ground, Navelim, on Thursday. The match began with both teams creating early chances, with Aron Gomes missing the first opportunity for Ugem Rising, while Cyril Dias failed to convert from close range for Ambaulim. Ambaulim took the lead in the 24th minute through Visiton Fernandes, giving them a 1-0 advantage at half time. After the break, Cyril Dias doubled the lead in the 34th minute, before Selton Fernandes made it 3-0 in the 42nd minute. Ugem Rising pulled one back through Pratemesh Gauncar, who scored from a free-kick in the 47th minute, but it proved to be only a consolation as Ambaulim held on for a 3-1 win. Cyril Dias of United Boys Ambaulim was named Player of the Match and the award was presented by referee Caitan Pereira.
St Savio SC thrash Don Bosco Oratory 9-3
MARGAO: St Savio Sports Club, Calangute recorded a dominant 9-3 win over Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda to move into the quarterfinals of the 18th London Trophy Inter-Village Football Tournament 2026, organised by Goa Velha Sports Club and sponsored by villagers of Goa Velha based in the United Kingdom. Mervin D’Souza opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, while Fasel D’Souza doubled the lead in the 6th minute to give St Savio a 2-0 half-time advantage. Fasel struck again in the 37th minute before Richie Vaz and Valito Miranda scored in quick succession to reduce the deficit to 3-2. However, St Savio dominated the remainder of the match with Chatanya Haldankar scoring twice, Tanay Kerkar netting a brace and Karan Maratha adding another goal. Don Bosco managed a third through Valito Miranda, but Mervin D’Souza completed his brace to seal a 9-3 victory. Tanay Kerkar was declared Man of the Match. Joseph Rodrigues, player and executive committee member of Goa Velha Sports Club, gave away the prize.
Goan duo in South Zone women’s team
PANAJI: The Goa Cricket Association (GCA) has announced that two players and one support staff member from Goa have been selected for the South Zone team that will participate in the Senior Women’s Inter Zonal Multi Day Trophy scheduled to be held in Pondicherry from March 20 to April 3. Players Purvaja Verlekar and Poorva Bhaidkar have been selected to represent the South Zone team in the prestigious tournament. In addition, Salma Divkar from Goa has been included in the team’s support staff as the trainer.
GFA to Organise U-16 Girls Asmita League
PANAJI: The Goa Football Association (GFA) will organise the U-16 (Girls) Asmita Football League 2026, inviting participation from all its registered and affiliated clubs. According to the GFA, players born between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012 will be eligible to take part in the competition. The league will be conducted as an 11-a-side knockout tournament, with matches consisting of 35-minute halves and a 15-minute interval. The tournament will be held over one week, with matches scheduled in morning and evening sessions. Each team can register a maximum squad of 20 players, along with three team officials, of which at least one must be a female official. The association has also made it mandatory for all players and officials to be registered on the CRS/CMS system. Interested clubs have been asked to confirm their participation by email to the GFA office on or before March 16, by 5 pm.
GFA hosts 'D' Licence coaching course
MARGAO: The Goa Football Association (GFA), under the aegis of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), recently organised an AIFF ‘D’ Licence coaching course at Duler Stadium, Mapusa. The six-day non-residential programme combined theory and practical sessions, covering topics such as the role of a coach, planning training sessions, principles of play, age-specific training, coaching children, nutrition, injury prevention, sports safety, hygiene, and emergency first aid. Participants are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of coaching, working with both children and adults, before the final assessment. The course was conducted by instructor Antonio Prestly Pereira, with Anthony Lobo as coordinator. A total of 24 participants, including one female coach, attended the programme, with trainees also coming from Mumbai, Bengaluru and Italy.
