MAPUSA: FC Goa struggled before they got the better of Sporting Clube de Goa 7-6 via sudden death to clinch the Goa Police Cup, organised by Goa Police Cell and played at Duler Stadium, here on Thursday.
In an absorbing encounter witnessed by one of the largest crowd at the venue, saw the match well contested where both the goals were scored in the first session.
Nestor Dias put Young Gaurs ahead only for Philip Odogwu of Sporting to find the equaliser in the closing minutes of the first session.
In a cracking encounter it was Sporting who started brightly and should have scored the opening goal through Akeraj Martins but the latter failed to apply finishing touches to a pinpoint cross delivered by Marcus Mascarenhas.
Sporting had two back two back chances to break the deadlock through Marcus Mascarenhas. First in the 25th minute when his firm grounder was well kept out for a corner by keeper Antonio Da Silva and then in the 29th minute his header missed the target by inches after being found by Sachidanand Satelkar.
It was a team goal which saw Young Gaurs break the deadlock when Chresty Davis dispossessed Peter Carvalho and laid it to Lalawmpuia who in turn passed the ball to Nestor Dias who busted into the penalty box and beat the Sporting keeper with an adroit placement, 1-0.
Nestor Dias nearly got his second goal for Young Gaurs minutes later but was denied by the brilliance of defender Alton Vaz.
Philp Odogwu should have buried the ball into the net from close range in the 45th minute for Sporting after Young Gaurs keeper Antonio had spilled the ball into his path from a Marcus Mascarenhas sizzling shot which was too hot for keeper Antonio to handle..
However it did not take long for Philp Odogwu to make amends as he found the back of the net in the next minute with a low grounder after being put through by Sachidanand Satelkar, 1-1.
On resumption of second half, Sporting’s Philip Odogwu nearly punished Leander D’Cunha for his sloppy defending but could not keep his shot goal-wards..
Two minutes before the end of the regulation time Young Gaurs Nestor Dias was sent off by referee David Rebello for manhandling Sporting’s Gautam Dias.
In the penalty shootout, For Young Gaurs colts Hayden Fernandes, Lalnutulanga Bawitlung, Lalnmangain Sanga, Lalawmpuia, Sezwin Fernandes and Ivon Costa scored on target in the tie-breaker and then sudden death, while for Flaming Oranje outfit Marcus, Assumption Soares, Gautam Dias, Sachidanand Satelkar and Myron Fernandes scored. Chief Guest and Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa gave away the prizes to the winners and runners up in the presence of Joshua D’Souza, Mapusa MLA, Pranab Nanda-Director General of Police, Jaspal Singh-IGP, GFA Vice President South Anthony Pango and executive member Welvin Menezes and other dignitaries.
FC Goa returned home richer by winning the cash prize of Rs. 2,00,000 and trophy, while Sporting Clube de Goa had to be content with runner’s up cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000 plus trophy.
Best player of the tournament was awarded to Hayden Fernandes of FC Goa.
Goa Police acknowledged the support of GFA Executive Member Welvin Menezes in organising the Goa Police Cup 2019 and felicitated the former General Secretary during the valedictory function. Pranab Nanda-DGP welcomed the gathering while Bosco George-Superintendent of Police-IPS proposed the vote of thanks.