MAPUSA: Hosts Candolim Sports Club had to wait for the penalty shootout as they registered a 4-2 win over United Club Verna in the final to clinch the Candolim Panchayat Cup, played at Dr Gustavo Monteiro ground, Candolim, on Thursday.
The first session was mostly restricted to midfield with both the custodians having a field day.
On crossing ends, UC Verna colts came close in opening their account twice. In the 52nd minute UC Verna’s Sheldon Pereira sent a cross to Royden Rego, who passed the ball inside the penalty box to Elrich Fernandes whose strike deflected off the rival defender and the ball rolled to Antush Moniz whose shot at the goal was confidently collected by Candolim SC’s keeper Chandan Redkar.
Another chance went in vain for UC Verna when a left footer by Clifton Rebello off a pinpoint cross by Meeklito D’Costa rebounded off the Candolim SC’s horizontal bar.
At the other end, Candolim SC too had their chances but it was UC Verna’s custodian who brought back to back saves to deny substitute Nikhil Naik from scoring from just outside the 6-yard box. Also a floater at the goal by Aman Govekar was brilliantly saved by UC Verna’s custodian.
In the penalty shoot-out, for Candolim SC Aniket Naik, Aman Govekar, Ashley Fernandes and Rajat Chopdekar were on target, while for United Club of Verna Sairon Albuquerque and Sheldon Pereira scored.
Earlier, chief guest Arjuna Awardee Bruno Coutinho, guest of honour Candolim Deputy Sarpanch Amalina Dias, Sarpanch Blaize Fernandes, panchas, President of Candolim SC Lawrence Fernandes, organising chairman George Fernandes, former sarpanch Sandra Falho along with other dignitaries were introduced to the players and match officials.
Candolim SC received the winners rolling trophy and cash prize of Rs 60,000, while United Club of Verna had to be content with runners-up rolling trophy and cash prize of Rs 40,000. Bruno D’Souza proposed a vote of thanks and compered.
