TEAM HERALD
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CALANGUTE: Saligao Sporting Club beat Candolim Sports Club 2-0 in the finals to lay their hands on the coveted 1st Francisco and Matildinha Egipsy memorial inter-village football tournament organized by St Savio Sports Club, Calangute at Poriat ground, here, Tuesday.
With continuous downpour and soggy outfield, free flowing soccer was curtailed. However after sometime, the players of both teams adjusted well to the ground conditions and dished out good soccer.
Saligao forged ahead in the 25th minute thanks to a goalkeeper lapse. The Candolim goalkeeper failed to gather the ball and Mathew Dias who was lurking around punted the ball in.
Changing over, Candolim tried to bounce back into the game but their forwards were unable to get past the rival defense marshaled by Papu Shetgaonkar. Time and again good moves by the Candolim forwards were brought to nought by Papu.
Abhijeet Gaonkar doubled the lead in the 45th minute after beating the rival goalkeeper. Abhijeet had earlier muffed a sitter when he shot wide with only the rival goalkeeper at his mercy after being fed by Mathew.
Individual prizes — Best goalkeeper: Jason D’Mello (Saligao), Best forward and player of the tournament: Mathew Dias (Saligao SC). Best defender: Stanley D’Silva (Candolim SC). Best half: Abhijeet Gaonkar (Saligao SC).
Chief guest Michael Lobo, MLA gave away the prizes in the presence of guest of honour Elvis Gomes, GFA vice-president, Dr Fernando Menezes and Egipsy family, GFA executive committee members Gajanan Kerkar, Alirio Lobo and Welvin Menezes, Kishore Pagi panchayat secretary of Calangute, panchas Joseph Sequeira, Ana Maria D’Souza, Pascoala Fernandes and Filomena Fernandes, Alex Fernandes president of Calangute Association and other dignitaries.
Earlier, president of St Savio Sports Club Albert Fernandes, John Fernandes, sports secretary introduced the dignitaries to the players and match officials.
Prashant Rasaikar and Sales Fernandes compered. Prashant Rasaikar, general secretary proposed the vote of thanks.
