TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: United Club Benaulim edged past Parish Youth Nuvem 6-5 via the tie-breaker to emerge champions of 24th Super Soccer inter-village tournament organized by United Boys of Dando-Colva at St John de Baptist ground, Benaulim, Sunday. The teams were tied 1-1 at full time.
Nuvem dominated the game in the opening session and continued to show their superiority in front of the rival goal.
At the other end, Benaulim were expected to go all-out but their disjointed forward line hardly helped.
Crossing over, Nuvem continued to enjoy the edge over their opponents and broke the deadlock after Jose Colaco’s flag-kick could not be cleared by the rival defenders and the lurking striker Ivan Colaco beat the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot.
With the match drifting towards Nuvem, Benaulim found the equalizer five minutes before the final whistle when Clayson Fernandes’ free-kick was beautifully headed in by Meldon D’Silva.
In the tie-breaker, Santan Fernandes, Rody Chikoto, Ozie Fernandes, Vincy Fernandes and Nelly Rodrigues found the mark for Benaulim while Remy Colaco, Quetiro Pango, Stanley Colaco and Sebeyton Colaco were on target for Nuvem.
Benaulim goalkeeper Rody Chikoto was the hero in the tie-breaker as he saved three spot kicks.
Benaulim were richer by Rs 30,000 while Nuvem had to settle for Rs 25,000.
Individual prizes — Best player of the tournament: Venson Figueiredo (Sporting Club of Davorlim). Upcoming player of the tournament: Jovisco Fernandes of (United Boys of Dando-Benaulim). Best goalkeeper of the tournament: Gerson Pereira (United Club Benaulim). Best defender of the finals: Santan Fernandes (United Club Benaulim). Best forward: Steven Baptist (United Club Benaulim). Best midfielder: Jose Colaco (Parish Youth Nuvem). Man-of-the-finals: Jose Colaco (Parish Youth Nuvem). First goal of the finals: Ivan Colaco (Parish Youth Nuvem).
Fatima Alemao was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of Maria Rebelo, former South Goa Zilla Parishad, Calvert Gonsalves and Warren Alemao.
