PANJIM: Candolim Sports Club registered a 1-0 victory over Dunes Sports Club to lift the Anjuna Gymkhana Cup, organized by Anjuna Gymkhana, at Anjuna ground, Tembi, on Sunday.
The all-important goal came in the 20th minute of the first session as Royston Pereira sent a superb cross to well positioned Canute D’Souza, who leaped high above the Dunes defenders and nodded the ball into the goal.
Candolim did have a couple of more chances to further increase their lead, but their strikers failed to score.
A the other hand, Dunes side comprising players mostly from the under-20, saw their skipper Shashank Ashvenkar combine well with Glenson Britto and they threatened the Candolim defense continuously.
On resumption, the Mandrem side build up their attack in search for an equalizer. However, two glorious opportunities were squandered as Harshad Naik goal bound shot hit the rival defender while Glenson Britto’s chip sailed just over the cross piece with the entire Candolim defense beaten.
Earlier, Anjuna Gymkhana club officials Roysal D’Souza, president; Seby D’Souza, secretary and Denny D’Souza, sports secretary introduced chief guest Minister for Water Resources, Art and Culture, Panchayat Dayanand Mandrekar to the teams in the presence of guest of honour Vasudev Manoj Korgaokar, vice chairperson ZP North; special invitees Fr Thomas Gonsalves, parish priest of Anjuna, Edwin Nunes, Adv Mariano Dias, Samir Naik, former international footballer, Sandeep Chimulkar, former VP sarpanch and panch.
Candolim returned home with the winner’s cash prize of Rs. 50,000 and a trophy while Dunes had to be content with the runner’s up cash prize of Rs 30,000 and a trophy.
Individual prizes were awarded to Best goalkeeper Krupesh Bandodkar (Candolim), Best midfielder Shashank Ashvekar (Dunes), best forward Glenson Britto (Dunes), first scorer of the final Canute D’Souza, best player Joelief Simoes (Candolim), final shot of the final Shashank Ashvekar, most disciplined team Panchawadi SC.
Sandeep Chimulkar proposed the vote of thanks. Gasper Braganza compered.
