ST INEZ-PANJIM: San Antonio Warriors, Monte De Guirim clinched the 2nd Dominic and Julius Memorial indoor hockey tournament after getting the better of Crozan Society, Bastora 3–1.
The tournament was organised in the memory of Dominic Pereira and Julius Vaz, ex-Goa state hockey players, by Hockey Heritage Group Goa at Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim.
In a fast paced match held on Sunday, San Antonio Warriors took the lead through Raju Rathod’s solo effort which started in his own half and saw the speedy forward getting past three opposition players. The second goal came from ex-India camper Pandurang Sakhalkar who connected to a long pass from Shubham Sharma diverting the ball into the rival net. Crozan Society reorganised themselves and appeared to put up a fight, and nearly scored. However, their efforts were negated by San Antonio Warriors as Rohit Bharti put the winners 3-0 ahead with a simple tap in from a pass from Rathod. Crozan’s fight back did yield a goal three minutes before time, when Brendan Noronha came up a great solo effort to reduce the margin. The last three minutes saw a continuous onslaught by the boys from Bastora, which was quelled by the defence of San Antonio Warrior, to emerge winners.
The tournament saw 16 teams from all over Goa vying for the title. Raju Rathod of San Antonio Warriors was awarded the best player-of-the-tournament while Ayyaz Khan of Young Sports, Mapusa won the most promising player award.
Basilia Pereira, wife of late Dominic Pereira gave away the prizes. She was accompanied by her son Aaron Pereira. The guest of honour was Redento De Souza, former Deputy Director, Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, Goa.
Fr Dominic Alvares of the Society of Pilar and hockey coaches Eliter Fernandes, Victor Albuquerque and Lt. Sam Braganza, Director-Physical Education, Govt. College, Pernem were also present.
