BENAULIM: Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda down defending champions Maina Sports Club Curtorim 5-3 via the tie-breaker to clinch the 13th Bebe Costa Memorial Trophy, organised by United Club of Benaulim and played at St John the Baptist ground, Dando- Benaulim, on Sunday.
Midfielder Cristopher Borges put the winners ahead but after resumption an intelligent strike by James Fernandes restored parity for Maina and in the panicky penalty shootout Don Bosco Fatorda held their nerves to dethrone the defending champions.
Maina made a forceful start with winger Clifton Barbosa entering the danger zone twice but his finishing was wasteful. Gradually the strong beginning of Maina evaporated with Fatorda medio and playmaker Blaise Faleiro taking control of the proceedings.
Maina Curtorim strike force was ineffective with Jessel Carneiro and James Fernandes struggling. Fatorda having more ball possession made the breakthrough five minutes before the lemon break when Blaise Faleiro put Jesmon Soares on the right wing to send in a cross inside the box where the towering Cristopher Borges made best of his physical frame to hold off rival defender Savio Fernandes and nudge the ball past Curtorim goalkeeper Johnson Bhogot.
Maina shared their hesitant approach after the change of ends and a brilliant goal by striker James Fernandes who took Abel Noronha pass and observing rival goalkeeper Charmino Vaz out of position intelligently lobbed over into the nylons in the 57th minute.
Thereafter both the teams played cautiously and the winner had to be decided in the tie- breaker in which Francis Andrede, Clive Miranda, Liston Fernandes, and Jason Pinto made no mistakes for Fatorda whereas Jessal Carneiro, Joel Fernandes netted for Maina.
Don Bosco Fatorda were richer by Rs 40,000 and a trophy while Maina Curtorim had to be content with Rs 30,000 and a trophy.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of Fr Lucio Dias parish priest St John Baptist Church, Benaulim, Diella Pereira, sarpanch Benaulim and other dignitaries.
