Team Herald
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MAPUSA: In a thrilling encounter of the final of Assonora United Super Soccer Cup played at Assonora sports complex, giant killers Xetrapal Sports Club got the better of crowd favourites Nerul Sports Club by a solitary goal.
The large crowd witnessed both the teams playing attacking soccer yet could not find a breakthrough and were locked in a goalless draw at the breather.
The all-important goal was finally scored by Vipul Pednekar off a goalmouth melee in the 25th minute of the second half.
Xetrapal SC took home the winners trophy and a purse of Rs 80, 000, while Nerul SC had to be content with runners-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 50,000.
Assonora Sarpanch Meghashyam Chodankar was the chief guest, while Sapna Mapari was the guest of honour. Also present on the dais were members of Assonora Village Panchayat, Goa Football Association Vice-President Anthony Pango, Executive Committee members Omkar Vaigankar, Anthony Vaz, Johnny Pereira and Prof Parmanand Mandrekar.
Later, M A Francis proposed a vote of thanks, while Lawrence Fernandes compered the final.
Before the match, National Anthem was sung and a minute’s silence was observed before as a mark of respect to the departed souls of Milesh Naik and Aniket Bugde, in whose memory the tournament was organised.