PANJIM: Amanda Sporting, Panjim edged past Friends XI, Vaddem, Porvorim, 5-4 via the tie-breaker in the final of 1st all-Goa Arpora under-15 floodlit football tournament, organized by Arpora Sporting Club, at Salt Lake ground, Arpora, on Sunday. The teams were locked 1-1 at full time.
The match was mostly dominated by Amanda Sporting who were well organized and Friends XI only shined in patches and were dangerous on the counter attack. But Amanda defenders Vishal Vargaonkar, Vishal Kawlekar, Shaesh Bagkar and Omkar Parwar did not allow any room to manoeuvre for the dangerous Friends XI strikers Aman Govenkar and Parkshay Simepuraskar.
At the other end, Amanda Sporting players such as captain Aaron D’Costa, Omkar Parwar, Nolan Rodrigues, Vishal Vagoankar, Vishal Kawlekar, Shaesh Bagkar and Russel Vaz played excellent football.
In the second half, Amanda Sporting came with renewed vigour and scored in the 65th minute when a free-kick taken by Aaron D’Costa was parried by the Friends keeper and the ball fell back to Philip Paul, who slotted home with style, 1-0.
Friends then went all out for the equalizer and Parkshay was tackled by Nolan Rodrigues and off the resultant free-kick, Aman Govenkar scored, giving no chance to Amanda keeper. Thereafter, Amanda Sporting almost surprised the Friends XI defence and would have gone 2-1 up but Russel Vaz with only the keeper out of position just placed the ball but to his luck could not find the target.
Finally the match had to be decided in the tie-breaker where in Amanda Sporting converted their penalties through Aaron D’Costa, Joy Pires, Omkar Parwar and Vishal Vargoankar while Friends could convert through Aman Govenkar, Parkshay Simepuraskar and Manish Shirodkar.
Individual prizes were awarded to best player of the tournament Parkshay Simepuraskar of Friends XI, best goalkeeper of the tournament Nur Mohammad Shaikh of Amanda Sporting, best defender of the tournament Vishal Vargoankar of Amanda Sporting, best player of the final Aman Govenkar of Friends XI, best midfielder of final Aaron D’Costa of Amanda Sporting.
Dr Rufino Monteiro, chairman of the Goa Football Development Council was the chief guest while former India and Dempo Sports Club star Samir Naik was the guest of honour. Also present were former Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza and FC Goa star Mandar Rao Dessai.
Salim Sayyed, president of Arpora Sporting Club proposed the vote of the thanks.
