CALANGUTE: A fine brace by Bibian Fernandes helped Saligao Sporting Club down Maina Sports Club, Curtorim 3-1 in the final to clinch Nerul Soccer 2014 organised by Nerul Sports Club, at Nerul ground, on Sunday.
Saligao began the match on a promising note and took a comfortable 2-0 lead in the first quarter with Bibian finding the net twice.
Trailing by two goals, Maina went all out in search of goals but were hard to come.
Changing over, Maina reduced the margin through Tony Dias in the 40th minute. Mathew Dias made the issue safe for Saligao scoring in the 55th minute to make it 3-1.
Saligao Sporting Club laid their hands on the glittering trophy besides the cash prize of Rs 50,000 while Maina Sports Club had to settle for Rs 30,000.
Minister for Tourism, Women and Child Development Dilip Parulekar was the chief guest for the final and gave away the trophy to the winners in the presence of Chairman of North Goa Zilla Panchayat Jayesh Salgaonkar, social worker of Nerul Suraj Morajkar, GFA Vice President (North) Lavinio Rebello, GFA executive member Babli Mandrekar, member of Village Panchayat of Nerul Narcis Almeida besides others.
Following individual prizes were awarded: Best striker Bibian Fernandes (Saligao SC), best midfielder Bruno Fernandes (Maina), best defender Niaz Shaikh (Saligao SC) and Best goalkeeper John Afonso (Maina SC).
An exhibition match was also played between Dr Ambedkar School, Mapusa and Pragati High School, Verem, which was won by Pragati School.
The U-16 boys team of Nerul Sports Club was also felicitated.
Earlier, Avinash Bhonsle, president of Nerul Sports Club welcomed the guests and other dignitaries.
