MARGAO: Progress High School, Sanquelim prevailed over St Alex Higher Secondary School, Curtorim 5-4 via the tie-breaker in the final of State under-17 boys Subroto Mukerjee inter-school football tournament, organized by Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Monday. The teams were tied 1-1 at full time.
Progress richly deserved accolades for putting up good show. They broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when striker Joel Fernandes beat the rival goalkeeper with a neat finish.
However, their joy was short-lived as the equalizer came two minutes later after striker Dylan Lourenco bulged the net with a rasping shot.
Crossing over, the teams showed better application and created equal number of scoring chances but their forwards lacked sharpness.
In the penalty shoot-out, Kevin Soares, Glevito Miranda, Joel Fernandes and Lionel D’Souza scored for Progress High School while Stephen Alvares, Dylan Lourenco and Ladson Fernandes converted for St Alex HSS.
Fr Gabriel Coutinho, principal of St Andrew HS, Vasco was the chief guest and distributed the certificates in the presence of Anant Raut Dessai, assistant director of DSYA, APEO Gurudas Bandodkar and John Silva, GFA executive member.
Earlier in the under-17 girls final, Carmel Higher Secondary School, Nuvem edged past St Xavier Higher Secondary, Mapusa 1-0 to book Delhi berth.
The teams displayed attacking brand of soccer and kept the crowds on their toes.
Carmel took over the control with their forwards firing several shots against the rival citadel. Persistent forays paid off dividends and in-form striker Velanie Fernanndes struck the all-important goal before the break.
Changing over, Carmel continued to enjoy the better ball possessions with their forwards comprising of Valanaka D’Souza and Velanie Fernandes keeping the rival defenders on their toes.
St Xavier made concentrated efforts to neutralize the lead but they were denied by rival defenders who thwarted their attempts with neat tackles.
Carmel will play in the All India Subroto Mukerjee inter-school football tournament in New Delhi.
