SCC Loutolim clinch inter-village title

Team Herald

sports@herald-goa.com

PONDA: SCC Loutolim beat Navelim Sporting 5-3 in the St Anne's Festival inter-village soccer organised by Ponda Footballers powered by Dr. Ketan Bhatikar's SPARC and SAG, at Animal Husbandry ground, Curti-Ponda, on Sunday.

Loutolim took the lead while Navelim equalised in the late stages of the match. At the end of full time the score read 1-1.

 Loutolim keeper Meibon Fernandes dived full length to save two shots to help his team their name on the trophy while Navelim were unlucky for the second time.

Loutolim made the first move in the third minute as Mark released a diagonal pass to Sandip and his shot was saved by Selvin under Navelim goal. 

At other end, Danstan chipped the ball to Travis who dodged past a defender but his weak shot was saved by Meibon.

 In the ninth minute, Hanson from the flanks laid a through ball to Sandip who was left unmarked and his first time shot entered the net to put Loutolim in the lead.

 Soon Loutolim could have increased the lead but Sandip and Joseph’s shot ballooned over from close. Navelim attacked through Aulon and Rovan but Melbon under the Loutolim goal brought up some spectacular saves.

In the second half, Navelim found the going tough as Loutolim packed their defence and they took long range shots which missed the mark. 

Loutolim nearly increased the lead when Brison chipped the ball to Joseph but his shot was punched by Navelim keeper with great difficulty. 

As the match progressed, in the 55th minute Loutolim defenders as well as the keeper let them down by losing concentration on the match and Prestly gave a through ball to unmarked Clinton Niasso who placed the ball into the net as the keeper was out of position.

In the penalty shoot-out, Sandip Konde, Prisco Mascarenhas, Shelford Fernandes and Hiljoy D'Costa scored for Loutolim. For Navelim, Aulon Gomes and Ronaldo Perreira scored while Clinton Niasso and Travis Souza’s efforts were saved by Melbon Fernandes. 

Earlier in the 60+ exhibition match between North Goa  and South Goa Veterans, North Goa blanked South by 3-0. Ex-Sesa player Gokuldas Nagvekar scored a hat-trick for North Goa. 

Ex-deputy chief minister Sudin Dhavlikar was the chief guest and gave away the trophy to the winners North Goa and South Goa received the runner-up trophy. 

Fr Tony D'Souza, Parish Priest of St. Anne's Church, Senior Vice-President of GFA Lavinio Rebello, Chief Promoter Dr. Ketan Bhatikar, PMC Councillors, Seema Fernandes, Geeta Talaulikar, Panch of Curti-Kandepar, Anil Naik and Ponda Footballers President Manoj Keni were present for the prize distribution.