Report by G.R. Crasto/Bahrain; Photo courtesy: Simon Dias/Julio Cardoso
Simao scored the decisive goal in the first half off a pass by former Goan senior division star Bernard Pires. Marina FC tried hard for an equaliser but the visitors stood firm in defence while goalkeeper Britto Pereira was at his super-best to claim the trophy for Navelim incidentally in the 25th year of the club’s existence.
The final match was officiated by
Alex Pereira.
Navelim YC sponsored by Al Sayer
Facilities were represented by Britto Pereira, Alfred Pires, Joaquim Rodrigues,
Nilesh Parmar, Simao Gauncar, Victor Fernandes, Ivo Rodrigues, Bernard Pires,
Gasper Crasto and Cruzedio Rodrigues. The team was accompanied by NYC Sports
Secretary Avelino Dias, Ex-President Mario Carneiro and PRO Simon Dias, etc,
along with other family members.
Marina FC, who were the runners
up of group C, edged out a star-studded
Goa Maroons from Kuwait by a solitary goal in the quarters and got the better
of Veterans United, another team from Kuwait in the semis 2-0. Veterans-Kuwait showed grit and determination
to advance till the semis after qualifying for the knockout phase as one of the
best losing teams in the groups.
In third-place play-off Nuvem
defeated Veterans-United Kuwait 3-0. Bahrain Goans (Veterans) won the plate
competition defeating Assagao Youth Club 2-1 in the tie-breaker.
Curzedio Rodrigues of NYC -
Kuwait who scored 5 goals in the tournament was adjudged Most Valuable Player
of the Tournament while Eusebio of Assagao Youth Club was awarded Best
Goalkeeper. Apart from the glittering trophies, the Winners and Runners-up were
awarded cash prizes.
Anthony D’Mello, Asst. Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Church was the chief guest while Mario D’Costa and Erwin of Almoayed Ford Motors were the guests of honour.
Anthony D’Mello, Asst. Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Church was the chief guest while Mario D’Costa and Erwin of Almoayed Ford Motors were the guests of honour.
Almoayed Motors Ford Motors were
the main sponsors of the tournament. The co-sponsors were Alba, HSBC, Hannover
Re Takaful, Rhine Resources, Concorde Travel, Gulf Computer Services, Pabloos,
New India Assurance, Trust Re, Jazeera Airways, Selcon, Jalal Travel Agency and
Air India.
The tournament held to mark the
National Day of Bahrain and Goa Liberation Day was inaugurated with an
impressive opening ceremony with all participating teams marching to the grounds
with respective flags. National anthems of Bahrain and India were played.
Francis Correia, President of the Young Goans Club welcomed the teams and later
proposed a vote of thanks.
G.R. Crasto compered the entire days’ proceedings. Part of the proceeds of the tournament would be donated to Bahrain Mobility International, disclosed a source from Young Goans Club.
G.R. Crasto compered the entire days’ proceedings. Part of the proceeds of the tournament would be donated to Bahrain Mobility International, disclosed a source from Young Goans Club.
:::The above report appeared in Bahrain's Gulf Daily News & Kuwait's Arab Times:::