MARGAO: Salgaocar FC emerged winners of the U-10 Little Gaurs League (South Zone) in a closely contested match against Super Creation, recently.
At the end of the league round, Salgaocar FC, Warriors, Super Creation and GFDC Navelim qualified for the final play-offs. In the semi finals, Salgaocar FC got the better of Warriors via the tie-breaker while Super Creation despatched GFDC Navelim by four goals to nil.
With two attacking sides making it to the final, the showcase match promised to be a high octane affair.
Both teams attempted to wrest control of the game and the match was played at a high tempo with some fantastic technical ability shown by players from both the teams.
Salgaocar FC came into the final with the strong defensive record of having conceded just 3 goals and they continued that form with a strong display at the back.
Super Creation showed some good passing sequences in midfield but could not breach the Salgaocar defence. The half-time score of 0-0 indicated that both teams had worked hard on their defence before the finals.
The second half was more of the same until Salgaocar got a break and managed to get the ball at the back of the net via Snyder D’Costa.
The goal opened the game up and Super Creation threw bodies forward in search of the equaliser.
Salgaocar FC switched tactics and packed their midfield, making sure there was no space in their half and launched long balls forward for their forwards to chase.
Super Creation had more ball possession and drove forward but Salgaocar held firm and managed to hold on to their lead until the final whistle.
Sakib Sheikh from Super Creation won the Best player-of-the-league.
Ethan Da Silva from Warriors and Jodric Abranches from Salgaocar FC bagged the most-promising-player awards. Genevieve Colaco, the development manager from AIFF gave away the trophy to the winners.
The Forca Goa Foundation started the Little Gaurs League to address the gap in grassroots football in Goa. A total of 36 teams participated in the U-8 and U-10 categories.
