Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Assonora United FC delivered a commanding performance to clinch the 24th Vagator Soccer 2025 Trophy with a resounding 5-0 win over YSC Colvale in the final played at Vagator ground, on Sunday.
Assonora United opened their floodgates in the 9th minute when Kunal Salgaonkar fired a stiff grounder from outside the penalty box to give his team an early 1-0 lead. In the 17th minute, Assonora United were awarded a penalty, which Kunal calmly converted, taking the score to 2-0.
Assonora United continued their attacking display, when Kunal completed his hat-trick following a goalkeeping blunder, giving Assonora United a comfortable 3-0 advantage at halftime.
The second half saw more dominance from Assonora United. In the 39th minute, Kunal netted his fourth goal of the match after capitalising on a defensive error. Prajot Arabekar added the fifth goal in the 54th minute with a header from a well-placed cross, sealing the game at 5-0.
At the start of the match, chief guest Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo, guests of honour Shivshankar Mayekar of Shivani Developers, Anjuna-Caisua Sarpanch Laxmidas Chimulkar, Panch member Dinesh Patel, special invitees Vagator PYSC founder member Fr Herculano Corriea, Goa Football Association’s Executive Committee members, Comunidade of Anjuna members, other village panchayat members and other dignitaries were introduced to the players and match officials by Vagator PYSC Committee members.
Assonora United received the winners’ cash prize of Rs 80,000 plus trophy from chief guest Delilah Lobo, while YSC Colvale received the runners-up cash prize of Rs 60,000 plus trophy from guest of honour Shivshankar Mayekar. Later, President of Vagator PYSC Joaquim Fernandes proposed a vote of thanks.