TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Goa Velha Sports Club edged past Navelim Villagers Union 1-0 to emerge champions of All-Goa Velim Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament organized by Sports Welfare Club of Zaino-Velim at Zaino ground, Velim, Wednesday.
CUP CLINHCERS: The players of Goa Velha Sports |
The two teams played attacking football and kept the crowd on their feet. The lone goal of the match came in the 20th minute when striker Newton Pereira bulged the net off a well measured pass from Vishant Pednekar.
Stunned by the early reverse, Navelim Villagers created some decent opportunities but their forwards failed to get beyond the Goa Velha defensive line.
Navelim Villagers had a golden chance to neutralize the lead but Milton Gomes’ rasping shot hit the crossbar much the disappointment of the Navelim supporters.
Spurred by the success, Goa Velha kept on attacking but the alert rival defence avoided further damage as the Goa Velha had to remain content with the one-goal advantage at the break.
Crossing over, both Goa Velha and Navelim Villagers patiently built up attacks and were efficient on the break. In the last 15 minutes, Navelim Villagers attacked with more urgency and their forwards kept on threatening the rival citadel but the Goa Velha defenders stood tall in protecting their slender lead.
Goa Velha were richer by Rs 40,000 while Navelim Villagers had to content with Rs 30,000.
Other prizes — Best goalkeeper of the finals: Anthony (Goa Velha). Best defender of the finals: Wilfred Pires (Navelim Villagers Union). Best player of the finals: Alvito Colaco (Navelim Villagers Union). First scorer of the finals: Netwon Pereira (Goa Velha).
Earlier, Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, MLA Benjamin D’Silva and Melwyn Sanches were introduced to the teams by Lewis Andrade, president of Sports Welfare Club of Zaino.
Sports Minister Ramesh Tawardkar was the chief guest and gave the winner’s trophy while MLA Benjamin Silva gave the runners-up trophy.
MLA Benjamin Silva said that work at Ambelim and Velim grounds will be started shortly and assured that development of other grounds will be undertaken shortly.
Lewis Andrade welcomed. Gurudas Kudalkar, secretary proposed the vote of thanks.
In all, 16 teams participated.
