TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao edged past ABC Sports Club, Arambol 6-5 via tie-breaker in the final to clinch St Lawrence Cup, football tournament organized by Agassaim Youth Club in association with Parish Youth of Agassaim, at Agassaim ground, on Sunday.
The teams were locked 1-1 at full time.
Taleigao got the early breakthrough as striker Vikram Balekar nodded in from close range off an assist by Cedric Peixoto. Thereafter, they were spurred by the success and controlled the proceedings as Cedric and Ali Mohamed came close to scoring.
However, Arambol were a revitalized in the second session and equalized five minutes after resumption. Substitute Anant Gad unleashed a rasping shot which went past Taleigao keeper Floyd Joao.
The ball hit the upright and fell back to Sylvester Dias, who made no mistake from hand-shaking distance, 1-1.
The match became frantic in the final quarter with the teams going all-out but the tie went into penalty shoot-out where Taleigao kept their cool and scored through Levino Pereira, Cedric, Ferran Fernandes, Rakesh Chari and Ali. Vithal Kinlekar, Gladston Cardozo, Shashank Asvekar and Anant converted for Arambol while Sylvester’s decisive spot-kick was blocked by the Taleigao keeper.
Taleigao were awarded Rs 50,000 alongwith the trophy while Arambol had to be content with Rs 30,000 and trophy. Individual prizes were awarded to Best Goalkeeper Kewan D’Souza (Arambol). Best Defender Ali. Best Midfielder Levino and Best Striker Vikram.
Chief guest and Olympian Fortunato Franco gave away the prizes in the presence of guest of honours Soccorro Coutinho and Catao Fernandes, former greats of Dempo SC and Vasco SC respectively.
Fr Johnsie Colaco, Levino Dias, James Afonso, Juliana Colaco, Camilo Gonsalves, Blanca Barreto, Armando Colaco, Benjamin Fernandes, Andrew Valles, Francisco Gracias, Assis Valles, Teotonio Pereira, Antonio Fernandes and Ludy Pais were among those present.
Mathew Rodrigues, president of Agassaim YC proposed the vote of thanks.
