MANDOPA: Ambelim Sports Club edged past Betalbatim Sports Club 3-2 via tie-breaker to emerge champions of the 27th Mandopa Football Cup tournament organised by Mandopa Sporting Club, at Mandopa Sporting Club ground, recently.
Both the teams were locked goalless draw at the end of regulation period. The teams displayed attacking brand of soccer and kept the crowd on their toes and had equal number of scoring chances.
As the match progressed, Ambelim Sports Club wrested the initiative and came close in breaking the deadlock in the 4th minute when Jade Colaco’s blistering shot went wide much to the dismay of Ambelim Sports Club supporters.
Betalbatim Sports Club too had their share of chances and looked to score when playmaker Ashley Fernandes muffed open chance with only rival goalkeeper to beat, he shot wide. The trend continued in the same vein with both the teams showing the urgency and firing couple of sorties but without success. Betalbatim Sports Club slowly took over their reigns with their forwards putting tremendous pressure on the rival citadel, but Klusner Pereira’s shot wide from hand shaking distance in the 38th minute. Klusner again blew away an easy chance when he shot wide from close range and later Ronaldo Coelho met likewise.
In the penalty shoot-out, Leslie Fernandes, Perryson Fernandes and Semson Fernandes were on target for Ambelim Sports Club while Klusner Pereira and Olvier D’Souza converted for Betalbatim Sports Club.
Ambelim Sports Club were richer by Rs 50,000 and a trophy while Betalbatim Sports Club bagged Rs 40,000.
Navelim MLA Luzinho Faleiro was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of special invitees Anthony Pango, vice president of GFA South Goa; Edwin Cardozo (Cipru) Zilla Panchayat member Navelim Constituency; Wilma Madeira, sarpanch VP Navelim; Jaju Fernandes, Anthony Fernandes and John Silva, all GFA executive members.
