PILAR: Fr Agnel High School, Pilar and Fr Agnel Multipurpose Higher Secondary School, Verna emerged champions of the 9th edition of the Meccabeus Rodrigues Memorial one day inter-school football tournament organised by Fr Agnel Youth Centre, at Fr Agnel High School ground, Pilar recently.
In the U-17 category, Fr Agnel Multipurpose HSS, Verna defeated Guardian Angel HSS, Curchorem via the tie-breaker after both teams failed to break the deadlock after regulation time.
The game was mostly restricted to the midfield with very few goal-scoring opportunities.
In the ensuing tie-breaker, the Verna team were the better shooters and converted all five spot kicks, whereas Guardian Angel managed to convert only four. As the final one was brilliantly saved by the man-of-the-match Mackvino.
In the U-14 category, hosts Fr Agnel High School, Pilar got the better of St. Joseph’s High School, Calangute by a solitary goal. The Pilar team dominated right from the start and scored in the very first minute through the boots of Brandon Fernandes who applied the finishing touches to a well-crafted team move. St. Joseph’s tried their best to equalise but their efforts failed as they gave away possession of the ball far too easily.
Francisco Silveira, MLA of St Andre constituency was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of Francisca Rodrigues, wife of late Meccabeus Rodrigues, Fr Fredrick Rodrigues (President of Fr Agnel Youth Centre), Fr Andrew Silveira (Secretary of Fr Agnel Youth Centre), Fr Richard Crasto (Headmaster of Fr Agnel High School), Xavier Gracias (Sarpanch), Maria Ruth Cardozo(Sarpanch), Fr Lyndon Rodrigues, Fr Walter Miranda, Fr George D’Souza and other dignitaries.
The following prizes were awarded in U-14: Best goalkeeper: Akash Kumar (St. Joseph’s), Best defender: Shaunak Salgaonkar (St Joseph’s HS), Best midfielder: Brandon Fernandes (Fr Agnel HS), Best striker: Denis Oliveira (Fr Agnel HS), Player-of-the-tournament: Toppon Minj (Fr Agnel HS), Best disciplined team: Perpetual Succour HS, Navelim, and Player-of the-tournament U-17: Mackvino Colaco (Fr. Agnel Multipurpose HSS, Verna).
