PANJIM: Goa Police defeated CGST, Goa, 3-0 in an exhibition football tournament organised by the Goa Customs Department to commemorate the International Customs Day, which is celebrated on January 26, at Santa Cruz ground, recently.
The tournament featured teams from the Navy, Customs, Goa Police, and CGST, and it was played in a round-robin league format.
In the league phase, Goa Police finished at first place, the only undefeated team with nine points, winning all their matches.
The CGST, Goa, secured the second position, finishing the group with six points from three matches, with wins against Customs and Navy. The grand finale between Goa Police and CGST, Goa, was an exciting match. But with the high pressure at stake, the CGST were defeated by the Goa Police with their experience to a comfortable 3-0 margin win.
Throughout the tournament, Goa Police showcased their experience and exposure against all three teams as they did not concede a single goal due to outstanding defending by Shiva and Navin. The game changer for Goa Police was Abdul Khan as he shocked CGST with a long ranger to beat CGST keeper Harshad Gadekar 1-0.
In the very third minute of the match, the CGST were demoralised. The CGST then went all out for an equaliser but were unlucky as Saurabh Patil header beat Goa Police keeper but hit the goal post. Then of a counter attack, Goa Police scored their second goal through Ravi. At half time, the score was 2-0.
In the second half, Goa Police scored the third goal through Satyam Gawas 3-0.
In the final, which was a well-contested match, Goa Police had the experience which proved to the game changer against the CGST.
The exhibition football tournament was organised under the guidance of Commissioner of Customs, Goa, Navraj Goyal. The chief guest for the event was the Commissioner of CGST, Goa, Bipin K Upadhyay. Also present at the event was Commissioner of Customs Goa, Navraj Goyal (host) and other dignitaries.
The tournament also featured some of Goa outstanding former footballers, Stanley Colaco (Dempo SC), Frankie Mascarenhas, junior international footballer and Vasco Sports Club/Customs), present Salgaocar FC, GFA Professional League player Saurabh Patil, who played excellent for CGST, Goa. The Goa Police team was coached by Camilo Roque Fernandes and under PI Raya Naik, director of coaching of Goa Police.
Chief guests Bipin K Upadhyay and Navraj Goyal presented the winners and runners-up trophies. Additionally, Miguel Costa of Customs, who had contributed significantly to the Customs and Central Excise Department as a footballer, was felicitated by the Commissioner of Customs Navraj Goyal.
