Team Herald
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RAIA: Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, edged past Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club 6-5 in a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out, following a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time to be crowned champions of 26th All Goa Our Lady of Merces football tournament organised by Sirlim Sports Club at the Chinchinim Church ground, on Friday.
The game kicked off at a blistering pace, with DBO Fatorda drawing first blood in the 6th minute when Edgar Noronha rise high to nod home a Cliff Baretto’s corner. Sao Jose de Areal SC, however, clawed their way back in the 27th minute through a moment of magic from Bersel Viegas, who rifled in a powerful direct free-kick, leaving the DBO Fatorda custodian with no chance.
The second half saw both sides pushing for a winner, but resolute defending and near misses - including a header from Sao Jose de Areal SC’s Darryl Costa that flew just wide off the crossbar - ensuring the deadlock remained unbroken.
With the score locked at 1-1 at the end of regulation time, the contest went to the tie-breaker. DBO Fatorda kept their nerves as Velito Miranda, Rahul Sharma, Cavin Araujo, Milson Baretto and Alfred Noronha found the target. For Sao Jose de Areal SC, Bersel Viegas, Darryl Costa, Aryan Carvalho and Neville Fernandes converted but one miss proved costly.
Chief guest Head Coach India U-20 Bibiano Fernandes presented the prizes to the winners and runners-up in the presence of guests of honour Velim MLA Cruz Silva, Our Lady of Hope Church, Chinchinim, Parish Priest Fr Alex D’Souza, Assistant Parish Priest Fr Victor Viegas, Our Lady of Merces Chapel, Sirlim, Chaplain Fr Chrysler D’Souza, special invitees Navelim Zilla Parish member Edwin Cardozo, Dramapur-Sirlim Sarpanch Avita Pereira, Goa Football Association Vice-President Anthony Pango, GFA Executive Committee members, club members and other dignitaries.
In a special felicitation, Cwen Pereira along with her brothers Ciel Pereira and Cleavon Pereira were honoured with the late Oscar A C Da Costa Award for excellence in karate.