TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: Candolim Sports Club held their nerves in the tie-breaker to edge past host Calangute Association 4-2 in the final and emerge champions of 2nd Hotel Goan Heritage Rolling Trophy All-Goa inter-village football tournament, at Poriat ground, Calangute, on Sunday.
The teams were locked goalless at full time.
After a barren first half, Candolim’s Paul Cardozo had the first chance to score but his rasping volley was parried away by the Calangute keeper in the 45th minute.
At the other end, Pedro Gonsalves could have put Calangute ahead only if he had pulled the trigger in time. The match became frantic in the final stages but neither teams could find the elusive match-winner.
In the penalty shoot-out, Bapu Pednekar, Royston Pereira, Stanley D’Silva and Joelif Simoes scored for Candolim while only Pedro and Deep Govekar were on target for Calangute as Joelif made two crucial saves for the winners.
Candolim were awarded the trophy alongwith Rs 40,000 while Calangute Association had to be content with the runners-up trophy and Rs 30,000. Individual prizes were awarded to First scorer of the final Sameer Pednekar (Candolim SC), Best midfielder deep Govekar (Calangute), Best goalkeeper Xavier Estrocio (Candolim SC) and Best defender Christian Fernandes (Calangute).
Chief guest MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco gave away the prizes in the presence of guest of honour Pascoala Fernandes, sarpanch of Calangute Panchayat; special invitees, Fr Cipriano da Silva, Joseph Sequeira, ex sarpanch; Francis Fernandes, chairman and managing director of Gulf Goans Hotels Company; Lavinio Rebello, GFA vice-president (North), executive members, Alirio Lobo. Alex Fernandes, president of Calangute Association welcomed and later proposed the vote of thanks. Desmond Oliveira compered.
