Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Goa Blue’s emerged winners in the Edwin Carvalho memorial 6-a-side hockey fiesta for veterans in the two-day event, held at the Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa.
The tournament featured 8 teams - Melbourne Knights and Melbourne Raptors from Australia; Sticks and Soros from the UAE; Kajang Panthers from Malaysia and four Goa teams.
The eight teams were distributed into two pools of 4 teams each.
The Goa Reds topped pool A with 3 wins while the Raptors edged out the Sticks and Soros into third position on goal difference.
In pool B, Goa Blue also won all its league matches to go to the top whilst the Knights edged out the Panthers.
The semi-finals were both closely fought encounters with both Goa teams defeating the two Melbourne outfits.
The final was a pulsating battle which finished with both teams locked at 2-2 at full-time.
Goa Blue emerged winners by the narrowest of margins with their goalie, Conan Fernandes bringing off two spectacular saves.
Goalkeeper Nilesh Poro also impressed in goal for the Reds.
Olympians Joaquim Carvalho and Merwyn Fernandes were the guests of honour and distributed the attractive trophies.
Merwyn, in his speech said that more youngsters must be encouraged to take up the sport in Goa.
He reminded the large crowd that he and Joaquim are putting together a hockey grassroot development program in association with Mavericks Club.
Further he said, “If any other club wishes to contribute towards the program. We would also like to extend our services for any program initiated by Goans Hockey.”