FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2016: Black Mambas overcome Varca Warriors

MARGAO: Black Mambas defeated Varca Warriors 5-2 in the Futsal Championship 2016, the launch event of the Futsal Association of Goa (FAG), held at Fr. Agnel Ashram, Basketball court, Verna on Monday.

In the North Goa opening clash, Street Boys and Vailankanni Boys had to settle for a 3-3 draw at Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim .

There was a nervy air to the opening proceedings at Verna, with both sides hesitant to commit numbers forward and content to remain compact in defence. Not only that, but both teams were competing in a Futsal Championship for the first time, so the chance to make history was at stake.

The match came to life with five minutes in the first half when there was a quick exchange of goals, first from Black Mambas and then Varca Warriors.

Black Mambas opened account in the 2^nd minute with Carneiro bulging the net and then Varca Warriors restoring parity the following minute with Cleon Barreto not missing the target.

Carneiro had his initial close-range shot blocked but he stuck with the play and his persistence paid off, as he was able to poke his effort past a helpless keeper.

Varca Warriors. however, did not drop their heads and they immediately responded with a goal of their own through Cleon Barreto in the 4^th minute who finished a great team goal by reacting quickly and tapping in at the back post.

Black Mambas then took the lead right before half-time when Carneiro tucked away a well connected  pass and doubled his goals to add 3 goals to his name.

Black Mambas led 4-1 at half time.

The second half started with a bang and Black Mambas attempts  were well blocked by the opposition team.

 But before Black Mambas's could catch their breath, Varca Warriors were back attacking through the flanks.

Arjun Vernekar scored for Varca Warriors in the 11^th minute from close range after keeper Paul saved his initial shot.  Just one minute later A Colaco extended Black Mambas lead to 5-2 in the 14^th minute with quick and decisive passing inside Varca Warriors penalty area.

Carneiro became the first player in this championship to score a hat-trick with Black Mambas emerging winners in the first match .

In following match Lazy Boys drubbed Holy Spirit Boys 7-2 with M Fernandes emerging the Player of the Match.

In the third match, Vailankanni Boys defeated Silent Assasins 3-2. Viegas opened account in the 3rd minute for Silent Assasins but K Borkar restored parity in the 4th minute. M Gonsalves was named Player of the Match. In the last match La Masia were held to a 2-2 draw by spirited 5 Souls. Charlton Vaz, of La Masia was named Player of the Match.

Suraj’s efforts goes in vain

Panaji: Street Boys and Vailankanni Boys had to settle for a 3-3 in the opening match of the Futsal Championship organized by the Futsal Association of Goa in Panaji on Monday.

Vailankanni Boys were straight down to business and tried to establish control with Suraj Hadkonkar and Paulo firing from distance.

In the very first minute Suraj’s effort fell straight into the hands of the rival keeper Lyber Rebello, who denied the striker once again in a couple of minutes.

Street Footballers had their first go when Nathan Menezes sent in a cross to Adrian Menezes but the latter failed to connect in time.

Against the run of play, Street Footballers surged ahead in the eighth minute with Adrian unleashing a power-packed shot. Subsequently, Amster De Souza tried his luck only to be denied by the post.

However, the lively Suraj equalized before the break with a clinical finish.

Crossing over, Vailankanni Boys were all pumped up as the fans took their seats in large numbers. The man of the hour of course was Suraj as the attacker secured his brace. There was no stopping man-of-the-match Suraj, who secured his hat-trick in the 25th minute.

Street Footballers did not give up, especially Eric D’Souza, who reduced the margin and their bench jumped in joy in the dying minutes when Keegan made it 3-3 to secure a crucial point.

In the other matches played at Don Bosco, Kings 5 registered a 3-1 victory over Parra Boys in a high intensity match. Kings 5 took the lead in the 5th minute through Faizal. The Parra boys put pressure and pressed forward for an equalizer. Waldron took a powerful shot but it landed straight into the hands of keeper Chitra. They were finally rewarded when Joaquim managed to get past the keeper of Kings 5 in the 9th minute and score.

At the restart, Faizal scored once again for Kings 5. Parra kept putting pressure but the Kings goalie Chitra was in top form. Fredson finally sealed the game for Kings 5 in the 24th minute. Chitra was adjourned Player -of-the-Match

Ritu Boys registered a 3-1 win over Pogo Boys. Melvin Lobo opened the scoring for Ritu Boys but Gautam Dias equalized.

After the break, Devendra Murgaonkar gave Pogo Boys a 2-1 lead in the 18th minute while Dion Fernandes made it 3-1. Frazer Fernandes was awarded the Player -of-the-Match.

In the last match, M7 hammered Espanyol FC 7-1. The Player -of-the-Match went to Auzden.

The league's opening fixtures at Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim and Fr. Agnel Ashram, Basketball court, Verna, witnessed 16 teams from all Goa embark on a 5-day tussle to determine Goa’s best Futsal side.

The Chief Guest Melvin Sanches declared open the Futsal Championship open flanked with Benjamin Silva, President of Futsal Association of Goa (FAG )and other top officials of FAG at Verna.

The Futsal Association of Goa is registered under Futsal Association of India and AMF (Association Mundial De Futsal, the governing body of Futsal). Futsal Association of Goa is backed by Sports Authority of Goa and Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.

NORTH GOA MATCH RESULTS

Vailankanni Boys 3  Street Footballers 3

King’s 5   3  Parra Boys  1

Ritu Boys  4  Pogo Boys  1

M7   7       Espanyol FC    1

SOUTH GOA MATCH RESULTS

Black Mambas  5  Varca Warriors 2

Lazy Boys 7 Holy Spirit Boys 2

Vailankanni Boys 3  Silent Assasins 2

La Masia  2      5 Souls 2