BENAULIM: Favorites Navelim Sporting Club edge out spirited Sai Avatar Anjuna 3-2 via tie breaker to lift the 31st Strikers Trophy Soccer Tournament, organized by Young Strikers Benaulim, at St John the Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim, on Sunday.
The final match was a thriller till the end and it was completed with an equally pulsating penalty shootout in which Navelim SC were crowned Champions.
Navelim lived dangerously in the opening five minutes when Anjuna Striker Rohan Kambli’s close range shot was blocked by agile Navelim Goalkeeper Dalwin Costa. Navelim made sporadic raids but could not find the breakthrough.
After resumption, the pattern remained same with both the teams attacking at the slightest opportunity but the best chance fell for Navelim when Anjuna medio Akshay Dhobolkar handled the ball on the goal line prompting referee Sharad Naik to award a spot kick for Navelim and dismiss the offender Akshay.
Navelim skipper Clinton Niasso who was entrusted with the job of converting the penalty shot high over the cross piece to the horror of hundreds of Navelim supporters.
Thereafter Anjuna defended their citadel and the tie breaker was applied to break the deadlock.
For Navelim Avlon Gomes, Sandy Colaco, and Jerson Pereira were successful but Bittu Singh and Navin Pereira shots were saved by Anjuna goalkeeper Soma Korgaocar.
For Anjuna only Rohan Kambli and Jesmon Carvalho found the mark but Vinayak Mulgaocar, Dinesh Morajkar, and Tanay Naik shot wide to hand the trophy to Navelim SC.
Former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao was the chief guest and gave away the winners cash prize and trophy to Navelim Sporting in the presence of GFA Vice President South Schubert Furtado, Colva Sarpanch Menino Fernandes, Sarpanch Benaulim Remy Fernandes, Dy Sarpanch Benaulim Xavier Pereira, GFA Executive Committe Members, Anthony Pango, Anthony Mam Fernandes, John D’Silva, Arnald Costa, Panch Benaulim Menino de Bandar, Glyda Fernandes, Seby Fernandes, Peter Joanes, Evencio Quadros, Micheal, Panch Navelim Babush Coelho and Menino de Ampem.
Earlier Young Strikers chairman Jaju Fernandes welcomed and Filip Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks while Anthony Rodrigues compared.
Navelim Sporting were richer by Rs 40,000 and trophy while Sai Avatar, Anjuna had to content with Rs 30,000 and trophy.
Individual prizes: Best Defender of Tournament was awarded to Nevin Pereira (Navelim SC), Best Striker Aldrich Coelho (Navelim SC), Best Goalkeeper Dalwin Costa (Navelim SC), Best Midfielder Vinayak Molgaocar (Sai Avatar), Best Player Rowen Pereira (Navelim SC).
First Scorer of final Avalon Gomes (Navelim SC), Best Defender of final Jesmone Carvalho (Sai Avatar Anjuna), Best Midfielder of final Pawan Dharghalkar (Sai Avatar, Anjuna), Best Goalkeeper of final Soma Korgaocar (Sai Avatar), Best Striker of the final Rohan Kambli (Sai Avatar), Anjuna), Man of the final Avalon Gomes (Navelim SC).
