TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2024
Team Herald
MAPUSA: Cortalim Villagers Social Welfare Sports Club laid their hands on the Goa Police tallest glittering trophy with a 4-2 win via tie-breaker over Dempo Sports Club in the 19th edition of Goa Police Football Cup organised by Goa Police Sports Cell in association with Goa Football Association under floodlights, at Duler Stadium, here, on Tuesday.
The match was largely attended with number of buses all the way from Salcete which brought number of their Cortalim supporters who returned home happy seeing their team win the trophy for the first time.
It was indeed Cortalim Villagers who were the better side where they time and again attacked the rival citadel but Prathemesh Gaonkar, Vikram Venkatchalam attempts at the goal were saved by Dempo SC goalkeeper Manas Dubey in the first session of play.
On crossing over, Cortalim Villagers Velroy Carvalho’s fierce grounder from inside the penalty box was brilliantly pushed to safety by Dempo SC’s custodian with a full-stretched diving save. The best attempt by Dempo SC’s was off Asmon Viegas corner only to find defender Sairon Albuquerque header sail just over the crossbar.
With the match ending in a goalless draw, the penalty shootout was enforced where for Cortalim Villagers colts Bersel Viegas, Vikram Venkatchalam, K Dhanushraj and Cyril Dias scored on target, while for Dempo SC only Versly Paes and Anish Gadar netted.
Cortalim Villagers received the winners’ trophy and cash prize of Rs 2 lakh from chief guest Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Director General of Police Jaspal Singh.
Dempo SC had to be content with the runners-up trophy and cash prize of Rs 1 lakh from guest of honour Joshua D’Souza, Deputy Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, IGP Omveer Singh and GFA President Dr Caitano Fernandes.
Retired police officials, GFA’s Executive Committee members, present senior police officials, SAG officials and sponsors were present for the finals.
SP Sunita Sawant, organising chairperson, proposed a vote of thanks. The finals was compered by Anthony Fernandes.
Individual Prizes were awarded by DySP Shivram Vaigankar, Yogesh Aaora and Mohan Shetty.
