Panaji
Sporting Clube de Goa scored a hard fought 4-2(1-1) penalty shootout win over Sesa Football Academy to emerge the champions of the Goa Football Association Under-18 Competiontion for the season 2016-2017.
In the finals played at Duler Stadium, Saturday, first it was a late penalty equaliser scored at the fag end, then followed by three superb saves from their keeper Akshat Hadkonkar and finally the Sporting players held their nerves in the shootout to snatch the Championship from right under the nose of a well-oiled Sesa Academy team.
The match started with both teams matching each other move for move. Sesa built up their moves from the midfield with Malcolm Gonsalves, Ryan D Souza and Ashley Cardozo giving a steady feed to their upfront players. Sesa striker Dainel Lobo impressed with his darting runs which kept the Sporting central duo of Cassel and Danish on their toes.
Sporting marshalled by skipper Princeton slowly wrested control of the proceedings. The Sesa goal had a narrow escape when Princeton found winger Desmond Pereira free on the left flank and the latter’s goalmouth cross was headed just wide of the upright by Trijoy Dias.
Much against the run of play it was Sesa who shot into the lead in the 29th minute.
A speculative long ball in the goal area from the right flank from Dylan Fernandes was not read well by keeper Akshat and an opportunistic Dainel Lobo cooly nodded home to give his side the lead.
Sporting had a golden opportunity to neutralise when Stanley found himself alone with only the rival keeper to beat after being put through by his skipper Princeton, but he fumbled shooting way of target. The second session was played in contrasting style by both teams. While Sesa went into a defensive shell trying to protect their slender lead, Sporting were all over their rivals and literally camped in their rival
territory.
Sporting coach Savio Vaz introduced Joston Cardozo into the attack in place of Stendly Fernandes who shifted into a midfield role.
Stendly and Princeton gave Sporting control of the midfield. A solo move from Stendly had the Sesa defence beaten but Trijoy failed to react and tap in from hand shaking distance.
Then Sesa keeper Roanal Gaonkar brought up two good diving saves, first off Princeton and then from Joston.
With the match in injury time and with the Sesa bench getting ready for the celebrations, a quick one two from Stendly, Joston and Princeton found the latter break into the Sesa penalty box and induce a foul.
Anil Chavan just as he was about to pull the trigger Referee Deepraj Sangelkar pointed to the dreaded spot without any hesitation for Joston Cardoz to step up and shoot coolly into the far corner of the goal past keeper Roanal for the Sporting equalizer.
In the tie-breaker, Akshat was Sporting’s hero, effecting diving saves off Kunal Salgoakar, Vishnu Gosavi and Cyrus Noronha.
Anil Chavan was the loan scorer for Sesa. Sporting found the nets through Joston, Princeton and Stendly. Danish Shaikh and Cyrus Moura had their kicks saved by keeper Roanal.
Sporting retain the Under 18 Championship for the second successive season.
Sporting coach Savio Vaz credited the win to the hard work and dedication of his players.
Sporting President Peter Vaz congratulated the players and the coaching and support staff and remarked that after retaining the Under 18 as well as the Under 20 (Taca Goa) title for the second successive season, it is evident that the Club’s Youth Development Programme is on the right path.
