UC Nerul lift Calangute Cup
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CALANGUTE, APRIL 18
United Club of Nerul prevailed over Navelim Sporting Club 4-3 via the tie-breaker to lift the Calangute Panchayat Cup in the finals of the inter-village soccer tournament organised by Calangute Association at Poriat ground, Calangute on Sunday. There was no score at the end of the regulation period.
Navelim had a good opportunity to forge ahead in the 6th minute but Nerul goalkeeper Siddu brought off a superlative save.
Nerul fought tooth and nail and created a scoring opportunity the very next minute, but Pankaj shot wide.
Navelim had two more good scoring opportunities but striker Alvito failed to find the net on both occasions.
Changing over, the teams failed to score on a couple of occasions. The deadlock was resolved via the tie-breaker. John Vaz, Xavier Clemente, Newton Pereira and Charles Pereira were on target for Nerul while Richard Costa, Sanford Cardozo and Sydney Colaco converted for Navelim.
Nerul won the coveted Calangute Panchayat Cup and Rs 20,000 while Navelim had to be content with Rs 15,000 and a trophy.
Following prizes were awarded: Upcoming goalkeeper – Agnelo D’Souza, Friends XI. Best goalkeeper of finals – Siddu. UC Nerul. First scorer of the finals – Richard Costa. Navelim SC. Best defender – Benedict D’Souza, UC Nerul.
The prizes were given away by the guest of honour, Laxman Porob Palyekar, Alex Fernandes president, Calangute Association, Sneha Salgaonkar and Albert Fernandes, members Calangute VP and other club officials. The guest of honour and Calangute VP members were earlier introduced to the players by Alex, Jerry D’Souza, vice-president and Luis Gonsalves, sports secretary.
Earlier a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Jerry Xavier Dias, a member of Calangute Association’s First Division team, who died in a tragic road accident. A purse of Rs 1 lakh was later handed over to Marieta Dias, sister of Jerry by Calangute Association as a token of love and appreciation. Luis proposed the vote of thanks.
