PANJIM: Defending Champs Goa set the ball rolling with a thumping 10-0 win over Jammu Kashmir in the men's category of the 4th Futsal Senior National Championship 2017, organised by Futsal Association of Goa (FAG) under the aegis of Futsal Association of India (FAI), played at Peddem Indoor Stadium, Mapusa on Friday.

Meanwhile the State women’s team were held to a 1-1 draw by Karnataka in their opening campaign. Goa men's team began the game attacking from the word go and scored in the 1st minute itself through Fredsan Marshall who received a pass from Michael Silva. Caetano Fernandes doubled the lead in the 4th minute. Michael made it 3-0 for the home side in the 9th minute with a fine strike into the back of the nets. Lyndon Cardozo added another in the 10th minute. Jasper Pereira made it 5-0 for the home team with a wonderful tap off Caetano’s pass. The second session saw 5 more added to the tally with two goals from Fredsan Marshall and Caetano Fernandes and a goal from Michael Silva. Jammu and Kashmir had absolutely no chances created by their team with just one through Aklelom Pehraz whose shot went high above the post in the second half.

In another match, Tamil Nadu beat Telangana 1-0. In the Women’s category, Goa and Karnataka played out a hard fought 1-1 draw in the women's category of the Futsal National Championship at Peddem. The initial minutes saw Karnataka press hard but it was Goa who opened the scoring through Velanie Fernandes who tapped the ball pass the keeper in the 6th minute.

On the other hand, Lilly Thomas shot high for the Karnataka side. Goa's Reema Noronha’s shot on target was well cleared by the neighbouring state's keeper. Karnataka kept pressurising hard to find the equalizer in the first session through Lilly, but we're not successful and Goa went into the break with a narrow edge over the visitors. Moving over, both teams created potent chances though Lilly Thomas of Karnataka and Michel Castanha of Goa.

Five minutes into the second session Karnataka found the all important equalizer through Tania Thomas who edged pass the Goan keeper and placed her low shot in the nets. With the score levelled, Goa continued with potent attacks from the captain Michel Castanha who came close to scoring in the last minute of the game but nothing changed the scoreline as Goa settled for a draw in the first game at the nationals.

Earlier during the day, the proceedings took off with a cultural performance by The King's School, Margao and Step on Crew. 

Amidst the dignitaries present were the chief guest Glen Ticlo, Futsal Association of India (FAI) Secretary General Sunil Purnapatre, Sports Authority of Goa Executive Director, VM Prabhudessai, Member Secretary of GFDC Aleixo Da Costa, Rohan Kavlekar Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council, Benjamin Silva President of Futsal Association of Goa, Naresh Sawal Ex-MLA of Bicholim and other members of the Futsal Association of Goa (FAG).