MAPUSA: Raia Sporting Club grounded Holiday Club, Arpora 2-0 in the final to lift Calangute Panchayat Cup Rolling Trophy All-Goa inter-village football tournament organized by Calangute Association (CA), at Poriat ground, Calangute, on Sunday.
An early goal by Raul Dias gave them a one goal cushion at half time while Jason Barbosa doubled the advantage, midway in the second half to seal victory for the away team. Striker Wilfred Gomes played an instrumental role in the build up to both the goals.
Clear skies made a perfect setting for the overwhelming Sunday crowd but the wet and slippery ground conditions made life impossible for the teams which tool on the field attackingly.
However, minutes after the kick-off, Raia found themselves in the lead, thanks to right-winger Raul, who tapped in from close range after being fed by Wilfred.
Arpora struggled to settled down and it clearly showed as they lost their cool with some reckless tackles. Gauresh Mandrekar’s long ranger which was eventually blocked by Raia keeper Cosme Oliveira, was the only notable effort by Arpora before the break.
Changing ends, Raia never allowed their opponents to settle down although Jason squandered from a one-to-one situation and then, Jouston Barbosa saw his effort hit the side-netting.
With ten minutes to go for the final whistle, Joston sealed victory with an easy tap in after Arpora custodian Ritesh Narvekar failed to clear a cross from the right flank, 2-0.
Raia were awarded the Rolling Trophy along with Rs 50,000 while Arpora had to settle for Rs 40,000.
Individual prizes were awarded to Best defender Shubham Makvankar (Arpora), First scorer Raul (Raia), Best Goalkeeper Cosme (Raia), Best midfielder Pramod Mardolkar (Arpora) and Best forward Jason (Raia).
In the absence of chief guest MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, guest of honour Ex Revenue Minister of Goa Jose Philip D’Souza gave away the prizes in the presence of special invitees Pascoala Clara Fernandes sarpanch of Calangute panchayat, Joseph Sequeira ex sarpanch, Fr Cipriano Da Silva parish priest of St Alex church Calangute, Vinayak Salgaokar deputy sarpanch of Calangute.
Alex Fernandes president of CA, Alirio Lobo general secretary of CA and executive member of Goa Football Association, Bento D’Souza treasurer, Anton Lobo manager and other dignitaries were among those present.
