PANJIM: Antruz Rising were crowned champions of all Goa Desserts n More Sarsangan futsal tournament conducted by Saraswat Sports Sangh Charitable Trust, at Base Goa futsal ground, Seraulim, recently.
A total of 10 teams comprising of 120 players fought close battles in 20 round robin league format matches with each team playing four league matches in two groups.
Cosmos United which had won all its league matches quite comfortably beat Surgical Strikers in the first semi-final while Antruz Rising Stars put it across Knight Archers in a penalty shootout which went into sudden death. Antruz Rising Stars which had lost to Cosmos United 2-3 in their league encounter extracted sweet revenge by winning 2-0 in the all-important final.
Retired 85-year-old veteran GFA referee Balwant Shirwaikar who has officiated international matches involving India, Russia was felicitated.
At the inaugural function, he wished more players should take up the beautiful sport as there are more opportunities with Indian Super League, etc.
Antruz Rising Stars collected the D n M Sarsangan Futsal Champions trophy and winners gold medals while Cosmos United had to be contended with the runners-up trophy and silver medals. Knight Archers and Surgical Strikers teams had to be contended with the second runners-up bronze medals.
Siddhesh Desai of Surgical Strikers won the best defender trophy, Sai Vallabh Pai of Knight Archers collected the emerging players award while Om Ambe of Knight Archers won the best goalkeeper trophy.
The Best Striker’s Golden Ball was awarded to Nikhil Pai Kakode of Antruz Rising Stars while Gaurish Prabhudesai of Antruz Rising Stars won the player of the tournament trophy.
Special Consolation awards were presented to Balkrishna Miskin of Cosmos United (striker), Prathamesh Prabhu of PDK Kings (midfield) and Rajendra Prabhudesai of Cosmos United (goalkeeper).
