MARGAO: A brilliant brace by striker Samson Fernandes helped Ambelim Sports Club to thump Parish Youth, Nuvem 3-0 and emerge champions of Our Lady of Merces inter-village football tournament organized by Sirlim Sports Club at church ground, Chinchinim, Thursday. Ambelim led 1-0 at the breather.
Ambelim rocked the rival citadel in the 15th minute when inform striker Samson Fernandes received the ball from Primson Fernandes and bulged the net.
Parish Youth Nuvem were expected to come back strongly after resumption but Ambelim defenders were rock solid at the back and never allowed the rival attackers to conduct raids.
Samson scored for the second time in the 40th minute off a spot kick when he moved menacingly inside the rival penalty box and was brought down by a rival defender. Samson himself took the resultant spot kick and sent the rival goalkeeper the wrong way.
Richard Fernandes drove the final nail into the rival coffin late in the second half off a cross from Maxwin Fernandes.
Ambelim were richer by Rs 35,000 while Parish Youth Nuvem had to settle for Rs 30,000.
Other prizes — Best losing team of the tournament: Sporting Club of Davorlim. Best disciplined team: Sao Miguel de Taleigao. First goal of the tournament: Mark Fernandes (Social Cultural Club of Loutolim). Best goalkeeper of the tournament: Siddesh Morje (United Club of Nerul). Best defender of the tournament: Prashant Gaonkar (Sangolda Lightning). Best midfielder of the tournament: Desmond Fernandes (Betalbatim Sporting Club). Best forward of the tournament: Mariano Rebello (Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club). First hat-trick of the tournament: Royston Miranda (Sporting Club of Davorlim). Best goalkeeper of the finals: Benny D’Silva (Ambelim Sports Club). First goal of the finals: Samson Fernandes (Ambelim Sports Club). Best defender of the finals: Sebyton Colaco (Parish Youth Nuvem). Best midfielder of the finals: Alrick Pereira (Parish Youth Nuvem). Best forward of the finals: Samson Fernandes (Ambelim Sports Club). Man-of-the-finals: Richard Fernandes (Ambelim Sports Club). Farwell goal of the tournament: Richard Fernandes (Ambelim Sports Club). Highest scorer of the tournament: Samson Fernandes (Ambelim Sports Club). Last touch: Joe Colaco (Parish Youth Nuvem).
Peter Vaz, president of Sporting Clube de Goa was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the prizes in the presence of guest of honour MLA Benjamin Silva, Fr Freddy Braganza, chaplain of Sirlim chapel, Olasrico Rodrigues, sarpanch of Dramapur-Sirlim, Cipru Cardozo, ZP member and GFA executive committee member Anthony Pango.
In all, 16 teams participated.
