GOA KEEP THE GOAN WORLD SOCCER CUP
Hosts Goa succeeded in keeping the first ever Goan Soccer World Cup
by defeating UAE Goans 4-3 in the very exciting finals, played at
the Nehru Stadium at Fatorda today evening.
In the action-packed encounter, the swift raids of Goa's Micdomio
Rebello and Camilo Gonsalves were brought to naught by the UAE
defence, ably marshalled by Surendra Gad (Assagao) and Joeboy (Siolim).
Prolific striker Russel Rodrigues and Joseph Fernandes retaliated
but there was Brahmanand at his topmost under the Goa bar.
As forecasted earlier, the match was a battle of maturity and experience
of the Goan stalwarts, who were all past 40 years of age,
versus youth and style of the UAE team.
As usual, Salu played at terrific pace. Brahmanand Sancoalkar,
of course, was so quick and agile that one was reminded of his
heyday when he kept goal consistently for the country and Salgaocars.
He dived full length twice to save sizzling shots by UAE strikers
Russel and Joseph. Kenny (Seraulim), under the UAE bar, was not really
tested.
With the score locked at zero all, the match went into a penalty
shoot out, where both Brahmanand and Kenny dived smartly to
save 2 goals apiece, tying the score once more, at 3-3. In the sudden
death resorted to as a result, Brahmanand effected a spectacular
save diving full length, and Johnny of Goa shot past Kenny,
to give Goa the all important victory in the historic Goan Soccer World
Cup.
The referee for today's match was international footballer/referee
Francis D'Souza.
There was a reasonable turnout for today's match, which was
preceded by the Bardez-Tiswadi Zonal girls' match, which ended
into a draw with the score at 1-1.
The glittering Goan Soccer World Cup rolling trophy was received
by Socorro Coutinho, who captained today's winning combination,
from Chief Minister Francisco Sardinha. Veteran Camilo Gonsalves
was adjudged the highest scorer of the tournament, and Brahmanand
deservedly earned the title of the Best Player of the tournament.
Beautiful mementos were presented to each player of all the
participating teams. Rahul Fernandes of Dubai presented mementos
to Chief Minister Sardinha, GFA president Joaquim Alemao,
GFA Secretary and Olavo Menezes, one of the persons responsible
for the success of the tournament.
The glittering, rolling trophy for the tournament has been donated
by Rahul Fernandes, in memory of his father. On behalf of the Gulf
teams, Rahul, who is also responsible for doing a lot of spadework
for the tournament, thanked and congratulated the local organisers
for the grand success of the tournament. He assured all that that the
UAE team will come to participate in the next World Cup two years
from now, and he received a thunderous applause from the crowd.
The runners-up and winners trophies have been sponsored by the
ICICI Bank.
Armando Colaco, coach of the Goa team, shouted 3 cheers for
Olavo Menezes and the UAE team and the UAE team returned
the compliments.
It was a wonderful sight to watch Salu of Goa kissing each and
every UAE player on the cheek, muttering "all in the game".
He was shown the yellow card today as was done to one of the UAE
players.
And thus ended, on a cheerful note, a historic gathering of Goan
footballers from different parts of the world. Though it was just
a flitting glimpse of Goanity, it will go a long way in the search
for Goan unity. This time it was soccer, next time, perhaps,
it may be something more important and not restricted to sportspeople
alone.
Cheers from Joel, Alexyz and Alister to the winners, to the runners-up
and
all the teams which participated in the tournament. But above all
Cheers to Email and Internet and Goans International and GFA,
the known quartet who made the spectacular event possible.
We will be missing Olavo Menezes and Dr Bonny Pereira,
whom we met at most of the games, particularly at the Duler Grounds in
Mapusa.
JOEL D'SOUZA
GoaNOW News Service, Assagao-Goa.
mailto:joeldsouza@satyam.net.in
ON KUWAITKARS TEAM......SILENT QUITTERS:
The burgeoning excitement of the Goan Soccer World Cup was punctured this
evening when Kuwait Goans failed to turn up for their last league
encounter with India Goans at the Duler grounds in Mapusa. With the
walkover, India Goans earned 3 points plus free entry into the
semi-finals.
Football afficionados began cursing Kuwait for turning tail, without even
informing anyone about their intentions. However, there were sufficient
number of Goa footballers from other competing teams, who played an
exhibition match to console the crowd.
(Info courtesy: Joel De Souza)
Qatar hold
Indian team
Oman Goans pip Kuwait
MAPUSA: Qatar Goans rallied to hold Indian Goans to an one-all draw inn the Goan World Cup Soccer organised by Goan International at Duler ground, Mapusa.
The victory helped the Qatar team to share the lead alongwith Oman Goans at the top of Group I with four points from two matches. Oman Goans defeated Kuwait Goans, 2-1 in the other match from the group played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
For Indian Goans this was the second draw.
At Duler, Larry Simoes opened the scoring for Indian Goans with a powerful header from a Francis Fernandes (Sr) cross after 21 minutes.
Substitute Dominic Carvalho scored the equaliser for Qatar five minutes before end. The goal resulted as Indian Goans' goalie Assumption Varela failed to collect the ball cleanly from Lenny Fernandes' try and the rebound went to Dominic who slammed the ball in.
Indian Goans saw more of the ball throughout the proceedings with their midfieled of Calisto Pereira, Neves Oliveira and Albert Pinheiro working in unison to keep strikers Bernard Pereira and Francis Fernandes (Sr) busy upfront.
At the same time nothing went right for the Gulf team as Baptista Estrocio and Patriciono Pereira flopped in the midfield and were later substituted by coach Dominic Carvalho. But fine goalkeeping by Qatar goalkeeper Anthony Gomes kept the Indian strikers at bay on numerous occasions.
Qatar Goans official John D'Sa said that his team did not play as they did against Kuwait earlier but good keeping by Gomes helped his team atleast earn draw.
The manager of the Indian team, Geovanni Santimano said it was not their day. Santimano also blamed the age factor -- the Indian team is 40 plus, as is the Goan team, compared to no age-bar on the Gulf team.
Our Sports Reporter from Margao adds: Oman Goans produced an excellent display in the second session to get the better of Kuwait Goans by an odd goal in three (2-1).
Kuwait Goans dominated the match, especially the second half, but could not translted their supremacy into goals.
The Kuwait team had an early chance but Oman goalkeeper Anthony D'Silva fisted away a powerful volley from William D'Silva at the expense of a corner kick. But the best opportunity came after 15 minutes following a flag-kick taken by Juliao Cardozo. Unfortunately Martin Pereira faltered at the crucial juncture with the Oman custodian at his mercy.
At the other end, Kuwait Goans had a close shave in the 15th minute when Lino Fernandes muffed up a sitter off Alsiter D'Silva square pass inside the box.
Crossing over Kuwait Goans came up with a good move 10 minutes into the session. Striker Juliao's rasping shot struck the cross bar and William D'Silva nodded home the rebound to perfection.
Stung by the reverse Oman Goans attacked vigorously and drew parity through a spot kick. The penalty was awarded after Augustine Rodrigues was brought down by the Kuwait goalkeeper Britto Pereira. Noel Rodrigues made no mistake with the dead ball situation.
The match-winner for the Oman team came in injury time when Anthony Rodrigues made a good run down the left flank and unleashed a powerful shot from a difficult angle that had no answer from the Kuwait 'keeper.
( Info courtesy: Gomantak
Times
http://www.gomantaktimes.com/ )
From: Gaspar
Almeida <galmeida_2000@yahoo.com>
Goa XI storms into semi final
MAPUSA: Goa XI upset fancied Bahrain Goans by a
solitary goal to book their place in the semi finals
of the Goan World Cup Soccer tournament organised by
Goan Internationals and played at Duler grounds,
Mapusa.
The all important goal came throught the boots of
50-year old former Salgaocar striker and coach of
Cabral SC, Micdom Micky Rebello in the 25th minutes of
the first half.Goa could have taken the early lead in
the 7th minutes but Norbert Gonsalves header off
Micky's cross sailed over the bar. Goa had a golden
opportunity to make it 2-0. Micky powerful header
missed by a whisker off Anthony Fernandes pass after
being fed by Camilo Gonsalves from the centre.
On resumption, Goa with five former internationals in
their ranks, Norbert Gonsalves, Brahmanand
Sankhwalkar, Camilo Gonsalves, Mahesh Lotlikar and
Armando Colaco failed to increase the tempo of the
match as Bahrain defenders Cosmie Monteiro, Agnelo
Pinto, Mario Albuquerque and Johnny Fernandes gave
their rivals tough time to enter the danger zone.
Bahrain's Luis Gomes and Cosmie harassed the Goan
defence but could not score as not score as Brahmanand
was a hard nut to crack, who excelled under the Goan
bar with some out of the blues saves to keep his slate
clean.
Coach cum player of Goan XI, Armando Colaco said that
"Micky Rebello was outstanding today in all the
departments of the game and Brahmanand was also
excelled under the bar with brilliant saves to gives
us
the victory,".
"Though we lost match by a solitary goal my boys
played well. Poor finishing by our strikers and some
brilliant saves by Brahmanand let us down", said the
co-ordinator of Bahrain Goans team, Jerry Fernandes.
Referee Francis D'Souza flashed yellow cards to
Bahrain's Cosmie Monteiro and Bosco Monteiro of
Goa XI for the rough play. Now Goa XI will take on
Saudi Arabian Goans and Bahrain Goan will meet
UAE Goans in their last encounter.
Roy Barreto dissappointed Former Salgaocar and
international striker Roy Barreto was at the Duler
grounds, Mapusa to witness the match between Goa XI
and Bahrain.
Roy Barreto was very dissapointed as he could not
participate in this history making Goan World Cup
Soccer tournament, as he is working in USA. USA
could not field a team and Roy is not eligible to play
for Goa as he is working in USA. When GT reporter
spoke to Roy, he said that he will lead the USA
Goans team to the Goan World Cup Soccer tournament for
2002.
Goan Soccer World Cup 2002 will be open to all
players, including the professionals. Two years is
enough time for all countries to build up their sides
by importing top players from Goa through
sponsorship and employment opportunites. In this
way, Goans lads can find employment overseas as
well as to raise the standard of this tournament, said
the convenor of the organising committee and
vice-president of Goan International, Olavo
Monteiro.
UAE Goans stun SA Goans 3-1
MARGAO: UAE Goans played with a definite sense
of purpose to beat a rudderless Saudi Arabian Goans
3-1 in the Goan World Cup Soccer tournament organised
by Goan International and played at Nehru stadium,
Fatorda Margao.
The winners led 2-1 at the stroke of lemon break.
UAE's strength lay in midfield where F Carvalho,
Anthony Travasso and AT Fernandes have struck a
kind of balance. Anthony as always is exploiting the
gaps in the rival rearguard while A T Fernandes is
making full use of them.
The opening goal which came in the 12th minutes of
the first half when B Fernandes unleashed a 45
yarder shot which Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Jack
Dias failed to read the flight of the ball and the
ball
dipped into the back of the nets.
The second goal came in the 19th minutes as UAE
lent numerical evidence to the unquestioned
superiority. It was a fine move which Anthony
initiated from the centre, he sent AT Fernandes
away on the left flank through a maze of legs.
Fernandes squarred for P T Fernandes to do the rest.
Saudi reduced the margin through a spot kick as the
striker John Philip Fernandes was tripped by the
UAE defender inside the penalty box and captain
Mathew Rodrigues made no mistake with the resultant
spot kick.
Crossing over, Saudi were unable to break UAE
shackles. They tried to speed up the game with first
time passes. But UAE close marking spearheaded
by their captain Nanda Gad denied them the space
they tried to create.
UAE finally put the last nail into the Saudi coffin
when P Carvalho accepted the throw-in from P D'Costa
and former outwitted the rival left wing back
and beat the goalkeeper with an adroit placement.
( Info courtesy: Gomantak
Times
http://www.gomantaktimes.com/ )
From: Gaspar
Almeida <galmeida_2000@yahoo.com>
Bahrain Goans earn full points
MAPUSA: Saudi Arabian Goans dominated but luck did not
smile on them as they went down fighting to Bahrain
Goans 0-2 in the Goan Soccer World Cup football
tournament organised by Goans International and played
at Duler grounds, Mapusa.
With this victory, Bahrain Goans have earned full
three points. Bahrain were leading 1-0 at the stroke
of lemon break.
Saudi Arabian Goans was the better side in all
department of the game but luck was not on their side
as John Soares missed four easy scoring chances from
close range with only goalkeeper at his mercy. The
other culprit being Salvador Pereira who had missed
two easy scoring sitters also from close range.
Bahrain Goans shot into the lead in the 15th minute
when Agnelo Pinto tapped in style off a cross from
Caetano Mendes giving no chance to Saudi keeper Jack
Dias.
On resumption, Allwin Fernandes' long range shot from
top of the box crashed into the nets much to the
surprised of the Saudi Goans goalkeeper in the 45th
minute of the match to seal the Saudi fate.
( Info courtesy: Gomantak
Times
http://www.gomantaktimes.com )
Goa-World Team congratulates Bahrain Goans on their
impressive win.
Also visit: http://www.goa-world.net/sports
Ulysses Menezes/Gaspar Almeida
Goa-World Team
http://www.goa-world.net/ Ahead
with the Millennium
in Mind