Team Herald
PANJIM: Merces Veterans edged past Chinchinim Veterans 4-3 via tie-breaker to emerge champions in the all-Goa Panjim Veterans football tournament played at the Santa Cruz ground, recently.
There was no score at full time.
Chinchinim Veterans, playing with former international players like Mario Soares, Mahesh Lotlikar, Dempo player Jerry Fernandes and goalkeeper Francis Fernandes had a good opportunity to show their skills before the regulation time but their efforts could not bore fruits.
In the resultant tie-breaker, Nevile Araujo, Dulo Gauns, Atul Naik, Rajesh Babkar scored for Merces Veterans while Alfred Fernandes, Mahesh Lotlikar and Yuri Ferrao netted for Chinchinim Veterans.
The winners were awarded a cash prize of Rs 25,000 while runners-up had to be content with Rs 20,000.
The following individual prizes were awarded: Best player of the tournament Jerry Fernandes (Chinchinim), Best forward Pascaol Pereira (Merces), Best defender of the final Rosario Dias (Chinchinim), Best goalkeeper of the final Rajesh Babkar (Merces), First scorer of the final Alfred Fernandes (Chichinim), Best player of the final Mario Soares (Chinchinim), Highest scorer of the tournament Neville Araujo (Merces), Oldest player of the final Mahesh Lotlikar (Chinchinim) and Best half of the final Atul Naik (Merces).
Jorge Bravo Da Costa, circle head Goa, HDFC Bank was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of guest of honour Tony Dias, former superintendent of customs and special invitee Paul Fernandes (civil engineer L&T).
Later, Raymond Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.
