Goemkapronn desk
MARGAO: Navelim Sporting lifted the 34th St.Anne’s Festival inter-village soccer Cup 2024 by defeating Don Bosco oratory factor 2-0 in the finals organised by Ponda Footballers and played at Animal Husbandry ground Curti Ponda.
The finals were played on the feast day of their Patron St.Anna between two South Goa title aspirants in front of over 1000 crowd who came to witness. Fatorda Hanshlum Furtado missed to open an account in the fifth minute of play while Meliston Dias’s header from the top of the box missed the target in the 10th minute of play for Navelim Sporting but five minutes later Frenden Pires scored with neat placement and Navelim Sporting remained 1-0 lead till the half time.
Changing over Don Bosco Fatorda tried to level the score but their forwards failed to capitalize on chances they got through Elroy Barreto, Hanshlum Furtado and Richie Vaz while Navelim failed to increase the lead as Trevis, Anil and Rovan couldn’t hit the target. In the dying minutes of play, Fatorda Alfred Noronha wasted the chances to equalise when his volley sailed over the bar and then in injury time, Navelim Sporting sealed the fate and game when Noah Luis scored from the penalty area giving no chance to the goalkeeper of Don Bosco.
Dr Ketan Bhatikar was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of Fr Francisco Rosario Parish priest of St.Anne Church Ponda, Fr Hemant, Dr Rama Parab of Animals Husbandry, Paulo Vaz, Sandip Opkar, Oswaldo and other dignitaries and club officials while Franky compared the function
The following prizes were awarded
Best Goalkeeper Selwin Gomes Navelim sporting
Best defender Declan D’costa Navelim sporting
Best half. Velton Dsouza DBO factor and Best forward Meliston dias Navelim sporting
