TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Clube Sao Miguel Taleigao came from behind to defeat Navelim Villagers Union 2-1 and emerge champions in 9th Super Soccer Bebe Costa memorial inter-village football tournament organized by United Club of Benaulim at St John de Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim, Sunday. The score was 1-1 at half time.
Despite the continuous downpour and heavy ground conditions the teams played attacking football and kept the Sunday crowd on their toes.
Navelim Villagers Union broke the deadlock midway in the opening session when striker Jovial Gomes picked up the ball from midfielder Domnic Cabral and unleashed a snap shot which crashed into the net.
Stunned by the setback, Clube Sao Miguel upped the ante and their were rewarded when striker Francis Rebello slotted past the Navelim goalkeeper with a snap shot after he was put on the platter by Marcus Peixoto.
The teams intensified their forays but the defenders stood tall in protecting their respective citadel.
Clube Sao Miguel mounted pressure on the rival citadel after change of ends. The Taleigao lads found the match-winner soon after resumption when Francis Rebello beat the rival goalkeeper with a stiff shot off an Anthony Levino Pereira pass.
Down by 1-2, Navelim Villagers Union went all-out and nearly restored parity when former Dempo striker Sukhdev Arwade’s shot hit the crossbar much to the disappointment of the Navelim supporters.
Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao received Rs 30,000 while Navelim Villagers Union had to settle for Rs 20,000.
Other prizes — Best goalkeeper of the tournament: Chandrakant Naik (Navelim Villagers Union). Best half of the tournament: Rovel Gomes (Navelim Villagers Union). Best defender of the tournament: Chrisley Costa (Navelim Villagers Union). Best player of the tournament: Octavio Miranda (Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao). First scorer of the finals: Avlon Gomes (Navelim Villagers Union). Best goalkeeper of the finals: Edwin Rodrigues (Clube Sao Miguel). Best midfielder of the finals: Thomson Fernandes (Clube Sao Miguel). Best defender of the finals: Ramesh Palkar (Clube Sao Miguel). Man-of-the-finals: Francis Rebello (Clube Sao Miguel).
Indira Costa, MD of Costa and Company was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva and Benaulim sarpanch Royla Fernandes.
In all, 12 teams participated.
