MAPUSA: Defending champions Saligao Sporting Club relied on Mateus Dias’s second half striker to get the better of St Anthony Sports Club Marna-Siolim, 1-0 to emerge champions of the 9th Pio Jose Goveia memorial rolling trophy, organized by Youth Sports Club of Colvale, at church ground, Colvale, here, on Monday.
The Saligao team have been a formidable force in recent times, clinching their third inter-village title in two months.
Saligao were impressive from the start as veteran midfielder Bibiano Fernandes worked his magic and sprayed some beautiful passes to his strikers throughout the match.
After a barren first session, Vesvino Miranda tested the rival keeper in the second session with a powerful effort but keeper Salil Chari came to his teams rescue with an excellent save.
In the 54th minute, Saligao broke the deadlock as the rival keeper couldn’t keep out Bibiano’s cross, only for Mateus to nod in from close range off the goalkeeping error.
Thereafter, Saligao stood their ground with some strong defending.
Saligao were richer by Rs 1, 50, 000, which is the highest prize in any inter-village tournament held in Goa. St Anthony had to settle for Rs 50,000.
Chief guest MLA Kiran Kandolkar gave away the prizes in the presence of special invitees Arjun Kauthankar, Servo Fernandes and Sylvester Fernandes.
The individual prizes were awarded to Man-of-the-match Jaison D’Mello (Saligao Sporting); Best goalkeeper Salil Chari (St Anthony, Marna); Man-of-the-tournament Mateus Dias (Saligao Sporting).
Adv. Dominic Pereira, secretary of YSC Colvale welcomed. He later proposed the vote of thanks.
