SJ Areal clinch Vodafone title
TEAM HERALD
[email protected]
MARGAO: Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club rallied to beat Curtorim Gymkhana 6-4 via the tie-breaker to emerge champions of all-Goa Vodafone inter-village football tournament organized by Colmorod Ratvado Sports Club at Rosary ground, Navelim, Sunday. Areal trailed 0-2 at the breather.
Curtorim Gymkhana controlled the run of play with their swift passes and kept their opponents on the backfoot for a major part of the opening session. They forged ahead in the seventh minute when Bruno Fernandes converted a spot kick which was awarded to them by the referee after Milagres Fernandes’ try inside the rival penalty box was handled by Areal defender Rodney Fernandes.
The early goal rattled the resolve of the Areal players, who failed to regroup and function as a cohesive unit.
Curtorim doubled their lead in the 13th minute when Tony Dias headed home off a well directed floater from the right by Velson Fernandes. Spurred by the 2-0 cushion, Curtorim intensified their forays and nearly increased the tally but striker Milagres failed to take advantage of Areal goalkeeper Luis Dias being out of position and shot wide.
Post resumption, Areal put up a better performance and showed urgency in their approach. Their efforts materialized when Francisco Baretto slotted past rival goalkeeper Cedric Peixoto.
Spurred by the reducer, Areal exerted additional pressure and scored the equalizer in the 38th minute when Francisco nodded home a well executed free kick taken by Mario Rebello.
Areal went all-out in search of the match-winner but to no avail. Midfielder Agio Antao troubled the rival defence and came close to scoring the all-important goal but his rasping shot missed the mark narrowly. In the tie-breaker, Agio Antao, Bersel Viegas, Rodney Fernandes and Mario Rebello were on target for Areal while Tony Dias and Joaquim Cardozo converted for Curtorim.
Areal received by Rs 20,000 while Curtorim took home Rs 15,000.
Other prizes — Best forward of the final: Agio Antao (Areal). Best goalkeeper of the tournament: Francis Dias (Areal). Upcoming player of the tournament: Joseph Gomes (CRSC). Best midfielder of the tournament: Mario Rebello (Areal). Best goalkeeper of the final: Cedric Peixoto (Curtorim). Best forward of the final: Milagres Fernandes (Curtorim). Best midfielder of the final: Tony Dias (Curtorim).
Earlier the teams were introduced to the chief guest Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado, Saurabh Nagpal, zonal manager Vodafone Cellular Limited, Alberto Colaco SAFF’s general secretary and Fr Jose Roque Gonsalves by Benedicto Temudo, organizing chairman of CRSC. GFA members Schubert Furtado, Anthony Pango and Joe Dias, president of Salcete Football Club were among those present. AFG Mascarenhas proposed the vote of thanks.
In all, 16 teams participated.
