Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
GOA VELHA: Anjuna Gymkhana clinched the 13th London Trophy, organised by Goa Velha Sports Club, following their impressive comeback against Chandor Club registering a 2-1 win at Goa Velha SC ground, on Tuesday.
Pavan Dhargalkar and Marvoti Horizon scored for the winners while Moises D’sa got on the score sheet for the Chandor team.
Coming into the game, both the teams started the match on equal footings displaying a good brand of football. But neither side were able to break the deadlock with missed chances turning out to be the story of the first half.
Chandor’s Moises and Anjuna’s Akshay had their opportunities in the first session but saw their efforts saved by the rival custodians. The second half story wasn’t the same. Chandor Club began the second session by storm as they broke the deadlock in the first half when Moises D’Sa on receiving a pass from the midfield danced his way past three Anjuna Gymkhana played with ease and lobbed the ball over the onrushing Anjuna keeper, 1-0.
The goal gave Chandor more confidence as they enjoyed better ball possession in the opening minutes. Chandor’s Luoie Noronha had the chance to put his team two goals up when he was set up by Moises but the former shot wide.
At the other end, Anjuna Gymkhana scored the equalising goal with a quick counter attack which saw the break from the right flank wherein Navin Shirodkar played a low cross to Pavan Dhargolkar who rolled his low shot in the far corner to make it all square.
Once on level terms, it was Anjuna Gymkhana who took control over the game and had a series of attacks on Chandor Club. Finally they surged ahead in the 46th minute when Navin once again played an aerial ball to substitute Marvoti, who headed past Chandor Club keeper Presley Mascarenhas.
Chandor Club keeper Presley came with a great save to deny Samuel later in the game.
However in the dying minutes of the game, Chandor Club had the opportunity to make it all square when Moises played a one-two with Sunny Fernandes to break the rival defence and the latter with the only the keeper at his mercy failed to control his strike as he shot wide.
Anjuna Gymkhana were awarded Rs 80,000 and a trophy while Chandor Club had to be content with Rs 60,000 and runners-up trophy.
Fr Emidio Pinto, Parish Priest of St Andrew’s Church, Goa Velha, was the chief guest for the final and gave away the prizes to the winners and runners-up in the presence of Goa Football Association Vice President South Anthony Pango, GFA Ex co member Minguel Gonsalves. Goa Velha SC President Welvin Menezes, GVSC General Secretary Iyno D’Souza, GVSC treasurer Bryan Pegado, GVSC sports secretary Agnel Fernandes and other dignitaries.
