PANJIM: Nerul Sports Club registered a solitary goal win over Goa Velha Sports Club in the final to clinch the Saligao United Cup organized by Saligao United Sports Club at Dr. Gustavo Monteiro ground, Candolim, on Saturday.
The all-important goal for the winners came in the 12th minute of play through a gentle tap by Anson D’Souza past the Goa Velha SC keeper Agnelo Silva off a cross from Deepraj Sangelkar.
In the 26th minute, Nerul SC almost doubled their lead but a blistering strike from Deepraj Sangelkar was fisted over the post by Goa Velha SC keeper.
Just before the breather, Goa Velha’s Elvis Lopes connected his shot off a corner by Yogendra Thapa rebounded off the horizontal post.
In the last quarter of the match, Goa Velha SC keeper came with two out of the blue saves as he collected Paul Cardoz hot blooded shot and minutes later Akash Banaulikar placement.
A goalline save by Nerul SC defender Devendra Pednekar denied Elvis Lopes from getting an equalizer for his team in the dying minutes of the match.
Nerul SC returned home with the winners cash prize of Rs 40,000 plus trophy while Goa Velha SC had to be content with runners-up cash prize of Rs 30,000 plus trophy.
Individual prizes were awarded to: First goal scorer of the final Anson D’Souza (Nerul SC), Best forward Elvis Lopes (Goa Velha SC), Best half Francis Fernandes (Goa Velha SC), Best defender Ryan Pereira (Nerul SC), Best goalkeeper Agnelo Silva (Goa Velha SC), Man-of-the-Match Jenifer Clemente (Nerul SC), Best discipline team Guirim Youth Sports and Cultural.
Earlier, Saligao United club officials Patrick D’Souza, Mariano Fernandes, Agnelo Dias
introduced the chief guest Denzil Franco, International and ISL player of Atlético de Kolkata; special invitees Umesh Parsekar, GFA’s executive members Raju Banaulikar, Santosh Bandodkar, Welvin Menezes to the players and match officials.
Doreen Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks while Bruno D’Souza compered.
