Team Herald
SOLVA-RAIA: Loyola HS Margao emerged champions after beating Rosary HS Navelim in the final of the 1st Chowgule Sports Centre U-13 Futsal League organized by YFA on Saturday.
Rosary HS started off the better of the teams and took a well deserved lead through Cain Fernandes’ low drilled right footed effort in the seventh minute. As the game wore on Loyola found their way back through a penalty taken by star boy Reuben Barbosa in the 14th minute and both teams went into the interval level at 1-1.
Loyola started the better of the two in the second half and a thunderous effort from Reuben Barbosa found the top left corner of the Rosary goal to give them the lead in the 25th minute. Rosary were then rewarded with a direct free-kick from the 10 metre mark and defender Cain Fernandes stepped up to level the scores with a low effort to the keeper’s right in the 34th minute. It looked like this thrilling contest was heading into extra time when with one minute to go Loyola earned a free kick in a promising position and once again Reuben Barbosa found the postage stamp of the Rosary goal and complete his hat-trick to put Loyola within touching distance of the title. Rosary would have one last glorious opportunity from the 10-metre mark but Ronan had the last laugh as he ensured his save all but guaranteed Loyola’s victory as the referee blew the final whistle.
The Chief Guest for the final was Savio Medeira (Head of Coach Education AIFF) who gave away the prizes in the presence of Princeton Rebello (FC Goa Player) and other dignitaries.
