Team Herald
PANJIM: Anjuna Gymkhana clinched the 11th London Trophy, organised by Goa Velha Sports Club, overpowering Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda 2-1 in the final, played at Goa Velha ground, on Tuesday.
Rohan Kamble and Pavan Dhargalkar scored a goal each for the winners in front of hundreds of spectators gathered to witness the final while Sherman Vaz scored a consolation for the losing side.
Both the teams started on an attacking note but it was Anjuna Gymkhana who had the first shot at goal in the seventh minute when Vinayak Mulgaokar well executed direct free kick was punched away to safety by rival keeper Terence Barbosa.
Don Bosco nearly took the lead in the tenth minute when Roque Borges leapt highest to meet a corner kick, but to his dismay his goal bound effort was blocked on the line by Rama Parsenkar.
The Fatorda team’s Charlton Pereira and Nicolau Borges tried their luck from long range but failed to do any damage. At the other end, Anjuna’s young Samuel D’Souza and Nitesh Salgaonkar constantly pressurised the rivals with constant runs down the flank. Anjuna’s best chance came in 23rd minute when Nitesh goal bound shot came to Samuel’s feet right in front of the rival goal, but the latter shot over the bar with only the keeper at his mercy.
Anjuna dominated the first half with better ball possession while Fatorda chose to attack on counters. The scores were level at break.
Crossing ends, Don Bosco started brightly and pressed the rivals in their own territory for the opening minutes. However, it was Anjuna’s Samuel once again who had the chance to score, but the striker effort brushed the rival keeper’s leg and went out for a corner.
Anjuna’s took the lead of the resultant corner kick in the 43rd minute when Rohan Kamble’s towering header off Vinayak’s corner kick gave no chance for the diving rival keeper Terence Barbosa.
The goal lifted the Anjuna’s team spirit as they constantly raided Don Bosco team and doubled the lead in the 50th minute when Nitesh’s cross found Pavan Dargalkar in the box, who coolly headed past the onrushing Don Bosco keeper, 2-0.
Anjuna keeper Soma Korgaokar pulled off stunning save at the hour mark to deny Don Bosco a comeback. But the Fatorda team finally pulled a goal back through substitute Sherman Vaz in the 62nd minute.
In the very next minute, Anjuna keeper Soma came to his team’s rescue with another brilliant save to deny Minguel Barrett’s header.
The final minutes of the game witnessed a nervy affair for Anjuna, as Don Bosco desperately tried to find the equaliser but they failed to get past the stubborn keeper Soma.
The winners were awarded Rs 80,000 while the runners-up received Rs 60,000.
