VIVA U-21, DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR GOA

HERALD SPORTS REPORTER
 

PANJIM, FEB 28
It was a double delight for Goa as their Under-21 team annexed the Dutta Ray Trophy for the sixth time quelling the challenge of hosts Haryana 1-0 in the finals of the football championship at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Haryana on Sunday afternoon. Goa had, earlier this season, won the coveted Santosh Trophy National Football Championship.

That apart, it was a grand double for Goa coach Alex Alvares of Sangolda and Goa Velha. He gets the rare honour for clinching the Trophy both as a coach this time as well as a player in 1992, when Armando Colaco was the coach.

If there were no untoward incidents today, the credit should go to Anil Kamat (Chinchinim) of AIFF who made his presence felt from New Delhi , the match officials and the security personnel who responded immediately once Dawson brought to the notice of the referee that there about 10 to 15 tugs who had moved onto the sideline and began threatening the Goa players. “It was scarry,” lamented Dawson.

Anil Kamat, responded immediately when some trouble was noticed and it had a salutary effect. Above all, it was the presence of Savio Messias that not only gave the boys the much needed moral support, but also sent a strong message to the organisers that Goa would not take things lying down today.

The man who gave the Trophy on a warm Sunday afternoon after the match kicked off at 1 p.m. was Dawson Dino Fernandes who scored that precious match-winner in the second session after the teams fought a goalless draw in the first half which was hotly contested and evenly balanced.

Goa gave their best shot when it was most required with each player contributing in the today’s success to register a historic and memorable victory.

Haryana were termed as the favourites to take away the title but went down to a better team when Dawson’s scorcher in the 58th minute from the top of the 18-yard box found its way to the far post leaving the Haryana custodian stranded.

The first half didn’t saw many attempts by either side as both the teams kept losing the ball possession.

Goa came close to add some flavour in the rusty first half but couldn’t find the target. The best chance of the first half fell for the Goa’s Gary D’Mello whose vigorous attempt from the 30-yard sailed over the bar. The second half surely belonged to the five time champions as they exhibited better ball control and gave a better account of themselves.

Haryana after a superb journey in the tournament failed to notch up their maiden title and had to satisfy themselves with the runners-up title.

Goa had at least four chances to double the lead in the post-interval period, when they resorted to counter-attacks.

Haryana exerted tremendous pressure after they fell into arrears, but their strikers were not given much leeway by the stout hearted Goa defenders, who played their hearts out and wanted to exert vengeance following the draw with Haryana earlier.

Many were wandering as to why the AIFF did not help at all the Goan cause as they remained a silent spectators since Goa had asked the organisers to review the referee’s decision of about the unjust red-card given to Goa’s Gary in the earlier match against Haryana which made him ineligible to play in the semi-finals.

Of course, the AIFF can wash its hands, and rightly so, as they are not supposed to interfere in matters of organisation. But remembering what Manipur did against Goa when a red card given to a Manipur player some years ago in Santosh Trophy was rescinded, one expected that an analogy could be drawn.

Alex, speaking to Herald from Haryana, disclosed that this was not Goa’s best performance since the boys were under pressure. “We played our best in the semi-finals against Jharkhand, but we missed four chances in the last 15 minutes when Haryana had thrown everything into the attack,” conceded Alex, who added that the boys always kept the ball low, using the ground passes to launch the attack and unsettle the rivals.

GFA secretary Savio Messias who airdashed last night to Haryana saw that his physical presence had a salutary effect on the organisers. “There were about 2000 spectators rooting for their State team. They were provided with lunch boxes and they did back up their team,” remarked Savio from Haryana.

“It is a grand double. The Under-21 trophy and Santosh Trophy at National levels are a testimony of Goa’s prowess in football. The players, the coaches and the assistants, the clubs, the parents of the players have made it possible for the GFA to reach this high,” Savio said.

GFA president, Joaquim Alemao, Urban Development Minister, while congratulating the players, the coach and support staff pointed out that the boys had given a superb display. It was an excellent team work, with each and every player exerting to the fullest and leaving no stone unturned to bring fame and glory to tiny but talented Goa. “On the Golden Jubilee Year of GFA, the victory which comes after that great Santosh Trophy for the seniors, our under-21 boys deserve a special pat on their backs. The victory is all the more sweet as it comes against hosts Haryana. Indeed a brave show which deserve something special,” Joaquim added.

The result which was announced at the finals of Goa Police football tournament at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, saw Home Minister, Ravi Naik, Chief Secretary S K Srivastava, DGP B S Bassi, IGP Sundari Nanda, DIGP R S Yadav, SP D K Sawant, SP Bosco George, SP Arvind Gawas, SP Shekar Prabhudesai, SP Vishram Borkar congratulating the Under-21 team for their superb performance.

PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, GFA’s Albino Vales, Tonito Botelho, Lavinio Rebello, Francis Fernandes, Jayprakash Poulekar, Lawrence Gomes, Lovino Goes, Anthony Pango, Jaju Fernandes, treasurer John Dias, vice-presidents Peter Vaz, Elvis Gomes, Sandeep Jaques, Vinod Parkkot, Sporting’s vice-president, Victor Fernandes, Churchill Bros’ treasurer Macario Rodrigues, manager Denzie Ferrao, Mario Soares and PRO Peter Figueiredo, Salgaocar’s secretary R A J Gomes and Sanjiv Nagvekar, Vasco Club’s Gavin Araujo, Madgaum Urban Bank Vice-Chairman Kishor Narvekar, Zogusso Naik of Merces, GBA president C F Vaz, Selwyn Botelho of Santa Cruz, Cedric Fernandes and Lenox Fernandes of Betul, Joaquim Teles, Rafael Fernandes, Arnaldo Costa, Lulu Pires and Daniel Rodrigues of Ponda, Savio Pinto of Nagoa, Severino Fernandes, Nazareth Snows of Snows FA, Joe Meny Furtado, president of Union of Chinchinim Villagers, Oscar Martins of Triveni Sangham, Joe Dias, Vijay Kumar Kopre, Sebastiao Barreto, Benny D’Costa hailed the Goa heroes for their magnificent showing at the national level.

Source: oheraldo.in