CALANGUTE, NOV 28
Hot favourites Air India, Mumbai emerged champions defeating Shivaji Sports Academy, Kolhapur 2-0 in the finals of All-India Veterans football tournament, organised by PVC Association, Parra and Bardez Veterans, at Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, on Saturday.
After a goalless first half, Air India shot into the lead in the 60th minute through ex-international Godfrey Pereira from an indirect free-kick. The Kolhapur player disputed the goal and play was held for a few minutes. However, the brain behind the tournament Hector Trindade deserves appreciation for prevailing upon the Kolhapur players to accept the decision of the referee.
Down by a goal, Kolhapur mounted pressure on Air India defence time and again but their forwards Arman and Sunil failed to find the net on a couple of occasions.
Air India doubled the lead through Darryl D’Souza off a Jacinto D’Silva free-kick in the 70th minute.
The rival lead did not dampen the spirits of Kolhapur players. They kept on raiding the defence with much more rigour but to their utter dismay could not find the net. A free kick just above the box by Aman was brilliantly saved by the Air India keeper Shyam Sawant.
Air India were rich by Rs. 50,000 while Shivaji SA had to be content with the runners-up trophy and Rs. 30,000. Shyam Sawant took the best goal-keeper award while Air India’s Shivaji Patil got the fittest player award.
Arjuna Awardee Bramahnand Sankhwalkar and PI Braz Menezes gave away the prizes in the presence of Franky Viegas, Visiticao Lobo, Fausto Lobo, Fr. Salvador, GFA vice-president, Lavinio Rebello and Bardez GFA members.
