TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: Football Club of Siolim prevailed over Penha de Franca 6-5 on penalties in the finals to emerge champions in Honeybee Friendship Cup inter-village football tournament, organized by Candolim Sports Club, at Dr. Gustavo Monteiro Stadium, Candolim, Sunday.
Penha de Franca were leading 1-0 at the half time.
Penha began the match on an attacking note but their forwards failed to find the net on couple of occasions. An early attempt by Dilip Rodrigues was saved by Siolim defender Shirodker in nick of time.
Siolim got their act together and came close to scoring in the 10th minute but a Selwyn Fernandes try was saved by Penha keeper.
Arnold Fernandes put Siolim ahead in the 14th minute scoring off a Selwyn Fernandes pass. Trailing by a goal, Penha went all out and almost drew level but Raju Padosi try sailed inches over the bar. A Devendra try hit the cross bar and went out of play in the 25th minute.
Changing over, Siolim had an opportunity to consolidate the lead but Bhalchandra shot wide from close. Penha kept attacking the rival citadel time and again and were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes of play as defender Gopal handled the ball in the danger zone. Melvyn Rodrigues made no mistake to put the ball into the net to draw level.
At the end of regulation time the score was 1-1 draw.
In the resultant tie-breaker, Siolim proved to be better shooters, converting through Arnold Fernandes, Clauddio Rodrigues, Mayur Toraskar, Rajesh Pomburpekar and Gopal Shirodker while Raju Padosi, Melvyn Rodrigues, Amar Kinlekar and Dilip Rodrigues were on target for Penha.
Chief Guest Agnelo Fernandes, ex-MLA of Calangute and Sandra Fialho, sarpanch of Candolim gave away the trophy to winners in presence of K. Gopinath, deputy general manager, United Spirits Ltd; GFA executive members Babli Mandrekar, Uday Lingudkar and Francis Fernandes.
Siolim received Rs 50,000 as cash prize while Penha de Franca had to be content with Rs 30,000.
Following individual prizes were also given away: First goal of finals Arnold Fernandes (Football Club of Siolim), Best forward Melvyn Rodrigues (Penha), Best goalkeeper Navid Almeida (Penha), Up-coming player Luis Fernandes (Candolim Sports Club).
Earlier, President of Candolim Sports Club Lawrie Fernandes, Secretary Stanley Fernandes and Treasurer Patrick Gonsalves introduced the chief guest to the teams and match officials while Laxmi Shankar, deputy general manager marketing of United Spirits Ltd kicked off the final match.
Bruno De Souza, assistant secretary of Candolim Sports Club compered and later proposed a vote of thanks.
