Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
LONDON: Daily Ballin and Wilred United Goa were crowned champions in the men and women categories in the Goan Football Cup 2025 held at the Cranford Community College, London, recently.
In the men’s final, Daily Ballin outplayed Filthy Starz. The second edition saw a record 28 teams in the men’s category and three teams in the women’s event, making it a landmark moment for Goan sport and culture abroad.
The tournament has always been inclusive, welcoming players from across all communities, with Goan teams competing strongly against sides featuring experienced English 5-a-side players.
One of the most notable participation was of Wilred United Goa, managed by Joe Vas, who travelled all the way from Goa with his team that included England 5-a-side star Kurt Hebert. While their men’s team bowed out in the quarter-finals, their women’s side featuring former India junior player Anline Fernandes created history by winning the women’s championship without conceding a goal.
In their very first tournament together, the Goan girls overcame two established West London teams to lift the trophy, making the entire community proud. Southall Athletic WFC finished runners-up after an unbeaten group stage run.
The prize distribution was graced by Xavier Vas, Jules Alberto Dias, Ruksana Braz and famed singer Mark Revlon, who honoured the champions and outstanding individual performers.
The success of this year’s edition reinforces the Goan Football Cup as the flagship Goan sporting event abroad, proving that Goan football and culture continue to thrive far beyond Goa.