TEAM HERALD
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MAPUSA: Goa Velha Sports Club held their nerves as they edged past NRB Vasco Sports Club 4-2 via the in the tie-breaker to emerge champions of GFA knock-out football tournament at Duler Stadium, here, Monday. The teams were locked goalless at full time.
| DELIVERING THE KNOCK-OUT PUNCH: Goa Velha, winners of GFA knock-out football tournament alongwith the dignitaries at Duler Stadium, Mapusa. |
The teams started attackingly but it was Vasco who had the first shot at the rival goal in the 16th minute after a dangerous free-kick from Gaurish Naik sailed to Stephen Offei but the Ghananian’s powerful header was scrambled to safety by Goa Velha custodian Siddesh Morje.
In the 35th minute, Goa Velha’s Jesmon Carvalho’s long ranger went inches wide and 10 minutes later, he was unlucky to see his rasping 30-yard free-kick brush the upright.
Changing over, Vasco changed their tactics with midfielder Murali Joseph moving from the right to the left flank. They build up a promising move in the 58th minute after Murali picked up a clever long ball from Aiken Dias and set up striker Samson Fernandes inside the rival territory but the latter’s effort was blocked by goalkeeper Siddesh.
As the game became frantic, Vasco created another opportunity inside the box when Joston Pereira set up Stephen but the Ghanaian delayed to shoot as Goa Velha defender Ferran Fernandes came up with a timely tackle.
At the other end, Goa Velha could have surged ahead after Vasco defender Gary almost shot in his own-goal when he tried to clear a low cross from Goa Velha substitute Chatur Naik in the 75th minute, but luckily for Vasco the shot went wide.
The teams went all-out in the final quarter but could not score the match-winner.
In the penalty shoot-out, Dylan Dias, Saprem Diukar, Melroy D’Silva, Atish Shetgaonkar scored while Alber Gonsalves shot wide for Goa Velha. For Vasco, Murali Joseph and Joston Pereira converted for Vasco while Samson Fernandes’ strike hit the post and Aiken Dias ballooned over.
Chief guest Sudhir Khandolkar, chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council presented the winners trophy to Goa Velha alongwith Rs 75,000 while Vasco had to be content with the runners-up trophy and Rs 50,000.
GFA vice-president, (North) Lavinio Rebello, executive-committee members, Babli Mandrekar, Angelo Albuquerque, Gajanan Kerkar, Welvin Menezes, Uday Lingudkar were among those present.
