Team Herald
PANJIM: Vasco Sports Club emerged champions of the All India Nagaradakshya United Cup 2018 as they defeated Corps of Signals 4-3 in the penalty shootout in the final, played at MR ground, Gadhinglaj.
Vasco coach Micky Fernandes won the first trophy of the season after taking the charge in July.
The final was fought equally by both the sides, however, Vasco were more potent with thier attacks but failed to convert easy chances on number of occasions. On the other hand, Signals had couple of chances to find the net but strong defending from Mainoo Dadanavoor along with skipper Lenstan Afonso, Myran Pereira and Sanwil D’Costa cleared the danger on both the occasions. With neither side getting success in finding the net in the regular time, the match was decided on a penalty shootout where Vasco custodian Sanju Thapa came with two brilliant saves to deny Pawan Thakur and Harshad Thube, while, Sanwil D’Costa, Rugved Yeole, Moises D’Sa and Minoo Dadanavoor converted for Vasco, while, Kuldeep Singh, Vishnu Chetri and N. Nakul made no mistake from the spot for the Army Men.
Vasco striker Beneston Barretto was awarded with the Hero-of-the-Tournament, while Mainoo Dadanavoor was judged Best Defender-of-the-Tournament.
