TEAM HERALD

sports@herald-goa.com

MARGAO: Ave Maria A and W Club, Benaulim sailed past Culmorod Ratvaddo Sports Club (CRSC), Navelim 3-1 in Salcete Zone under-16 football tournament at Rosary ground, Navelim, Tuesday. Ave Maria led 3-0 at the break.

CRSC dominated right from the word go as their opponents were a subdued lot. However, Ave Maria took the lead through Esteven Gomes in the ninth minute against the run of play, when he picked the up the ball from the flank and slotted past the rival goalkeeper with a stiff grounder.

Spurred by the early success, Ave Maria piled on the pressure and created many forays into the rival territory. Richard Castana doubled the lead with a stiff grounder.

CRSC were unable to strike rhythm and were confined to their own half. Ave Maria further piled on the misery on their opponents and trebled their lead in the 34^th minute when Selwyn Fernandes converted a spot kick after Velito Fernandes was brought down by the rival striker and the referee awarded the spot kick.

After resumption, CRSC put up a better performance with their forwards and midfielder working in tandem to put the rival defenders under pressure. In the 62^nd minute Royston D’Souza pulled one back for CRSC.

Spurred by the reducer, CRSC went all-out in search of goals but their forwards either shot straight into the safe hands of the rival goalkeeper or shot wide.

Meanwhile, Vasco Sports Club produced a sensational attacking display to crush United Club of Utorda 19-1 in the opening match of GFA under-16 tournament at Cansaulim ground, Tuesday. The score was 9-0 in the first half.

Vasco dominated from the start displaying their attacking style of football. Manjunath Rathod put Vasco ahead in the second minute with a simple tap in. Manjunath added three more goals to his tally in the first half.

Boy Singh and Thanil scored a brace each and skipper Rahul Das’s strike gave them the ninth.

Vasco continued their dominance in the second half. Utorda goalkeeper came up with some impressive saves before Singh rounded the keeper to complete his hat-trick. 

Thanil and Rahul also got their hat-tricks. Rahul had an outstanding game in the midfield feeding his forwards and keeping good ball possession.

 Romario Barretto on as a substitute for Manjunath scored a brace in the closing minutes adding further gloss to an imperious display. Utorda scored a consolation goal in the last action of the game.