Sai Avtar SC inscribe name on Bandodkar shield

PANJIM: Sai Avtar Sports Club, Anjuna inscribed its name on the glittering HQ-NRB 43rd Bandodkar Memorial football tournament 2016 shield edging out Holy Cross Sports Club, Arambol 7-6 via penalties in a closely contested final organised by Baina Sports Club, at MPT ground, Vasco. 

Sai Avtar SC were the dominant team in the first half, with the Holy Cross boys opening on an uncharacteristically tentative note. After making a few inroads into the rival area in the opening minutes, it was Holy Cross SC who had the first real chance in the 12th minute when a corner kick taken by Dietmar Fernandes found Bruno Fernandes, who failed to keep the ball down as it sailed above the goal post. 

Sai Avtar SC regained the upper hand and continued to push forward. In the 19th minute, a dangerous ball by Nitesh Salgaonkar elicited a timely interception by Bruno. Tanay Naik pounced on the deflection but his weak attempt was saved by the Holy Cross SC goalkeeper Kevin D'Souza. 

Bruno denied Tanay again three minutes later when he blocked a strong free kick taken by the latter from outside the box. 

Sai Avtar SC came close again in the 31st minute when Pavan Dhargalkar failed to connect to a corner kick taken by Tanay, in the ensuing scramble, a left shot taken by Navin Shirodkar was just wide of the target.

After a goalless first half, Holy Cross SC began to find their groove in the opening minutes of the second half. 

In the 40th minute, Kirtikesh Gadekar of Holy Cross SC provided a curling cross to Simon Fernandes, who was on target but was denied by a spectacular save by the Man Friday of the Sai Avtar SC team Soma Korgaonkar.

In the 44th minute, Holy Cross SC came close to scoring again when a powerful shot taken by Stepiton Fernandes from 40 yards out narrowly missed the target.

In the 45th minute, a dangerous ball from Stepiton aimed at Dietmar who was lurking ominously inside box was denied again by a flying Soma, who made yet another crucial interception by diving right on a hard, patchy outfield. The Sai Avtar SC team had a few anxious moments as the goalie was in agony due to the hard fall, but to their relief, he was fit to continue.

In the 55th minute, Sai Avtar SC looked to get ahead when a cross by Pavan Dhargalkar from the left flank was pounced on by Navin Shirodkar whose shot went straight to the Holy Cross SC custodian.

Sai Avtar SC were on target three minutes later when a free kick taken from outside the box by substitute Saprim Divkar, was saved by the Holy Cross SC goalkeeper Kevin.

Both teams pushed hard for the elusive winner in the dying minutes but neither team could get ahead and the match was left to be decided via tie-breaker.

The Sai Avtar SC looked composed, having won all their previous matches via penalties and true to form, they kept their cool in a pressure situation with Vinayak Mulgaonkar, Tanay Naik, Saprem Divkar, Rama Parsekar, Soma Korgaonkar, Akshay Dabholkar and Jesmon Carvalho converting their shots. For Holy Cross SC, Amit Fernandes, Sunny D'Souza, Stepiton Fernandes, Hari Parab, Jason Fernandes, Anant Gad converted their spot kicks but Simon Fernandes' shot was denied by a brilliant save by Soma, whose effort ensured his team would be crowned champions.

The dignitaries present for the final were Power Minister Milind Naik, Jyoti L Bandekar, Vasu Nair representing chief sponsors HQ-NRB and Krishna Salkar and presented the prizes and trophies to the players and scholarships for meritorious students.

The winners were richer by Rs 55,000, rolling shield of Late D.B.Bandodkar, rolling trophy of Babush Machado and take away trophy. The runners-up had to be content with Rs 45,000, rolling trophy of Late Teo Carvalho and take away trophy.  Semi-final loser teams Plierne Sports Club, Pilerne and Don Bosco Oratory, Fatordo received Rs15,000 each. 

Individual prizes of Rs 5000 awarded were: Highest scoring team of the Tournament Holy Cross SC, Arambol; highest scoring player Stepiton Fernandes of Holy Cross SC, Arambol; best goalkeeper Soma Korgaonkar (Sai Avtar SC), best disciplined team Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, upcoming/promising player Nitesh Salgaonkar (Sai Avtar SC).

Earlier, players of both the teams were introduced to dignitaries Jyoti L Bandekar, Milind Naik, Vasu Nair and Krishna Salkar.

Andrew Rodrigues welcomed. Joe Sequeira compered while Tulsidas Naik of Baina Sports Club proposed the vote of thanks.