Team Herald
PANJIM: The final day has arrived when the curtains will be drawn on the Brian Mendes Memorial Veterans Championship with Chinchinim Veterans, the Salcete supremos battling it out with crowd pullers Vasco Veterans for honours on Monday, at the Dr Gustavo Monteiro ground, Candolim, at 7 p.m.
Vasco Veterans have performed consistently in all their departments – defence, mid-field and frontline — firing in cohesion. They have in their ranks names like Vishant Pendekar and Remmie Colaco, who have always posed a threat to the rival defence. Besides, they have Xavier Colaco also a national player.
Chinchinim Veterans, who have big names of yester years like former Dempo Sports Clubs international Mahesh Lotlikar, former national players Mario Soares and Jerry Fernandes, who played for Salgaocar and Sesa Goa, have combined well among themselves, constantly changing their positions. Mahesh over the tournament anchored Chinchinim half-line well.
Chinchinim goalkeeping department has stood out through the tournament have both Donald Rebello and Francis Fernandes performing exceedingly well and have been responsible to see Chinchinim through in the penalty-shoot outs.
So if the final has to resort to the penalty shoot-out, Vasco may well keep their fingers cross.
Brian Mendes teammates of Goa’s 1983 Junior National Champion squad Savio Madeira, Trevor Paiva, Francis Rodrigues (Shana), Augustinho D’Costa, Mervin Fernandes, Dominic Fernandes, Jose Maria Dias, Richard Nunes and Coach Socorro Couthinho will grace the final and will be presented mementos by Bonifacio Mendes, Brian brother from the United Kingdom.
Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Arjuna Awardee and legendary goalkeeper/captain of India, will be the chief guest. Maria Rebello, India’s first professional referee and now FIFA assistant referee, Asia, will officiate.
Meanwhile, prior to the final, the Candolim boys will take on an Arpora squad in an under-14 exhibition match which will kick-off at 6 p.m. at the venue.
Goa’s Police band and Indian Super League fame percussionist Carlos Gonsalves to perform live, while Savio and Rock Lazarus to perform the championship theme song.
The winners will bag a cash prize of Rs 30,000 while runners-up will take home a purse of Rs 20,000, besides the glittering trophies.
