Margao clinch Goan soccer title with facile win Toronto: Margao clinched the Gaudencio Fernandes tropny defeating Aquada 2-1 in the final of the 14th Goan Inter-Village Torunament at the Centennial Ground, Etobicoke, on Oct 2. Margao were champions in 2004 and losing finalists in 1998, 200, 2001 and 2008. It was Aquada's maiden entry into the final. In the wet and cold weather, Margoa dominated the proceedings in the first 20 minutes before Aquada began to assert itself. Close and neat passing with the occasional run down the flanks by the experienced Margao forwards kept the Aquada defence on edge. The Aquada goalkeeper was called many times to prevent Margoa from scoring. A 30-yard freekick by Margoa's Nikhil Alvares deceived the Aquada goalkeeper who tried to collect the ball at the last-minute but just succeeded in getting his fingertips to the ball as he sailed into the net. Then came a dipping corner-kick by the old warhorse Antonio Fernandes that bounced in front of the ball, hit a defender and lodged into the net. With a comfortable 2-0 lead Margao were in the driver's seat. But the Aquada team kept pushing to find. Ultimately, Andre Saviel found the net and this gave Aquada more energy to press into the rival half. They almost succeeded and got the equaliser in the last ten minutes of the game. The goal was disallowed as the linesman flagged for handball though the scorer claimed he had chested the ball. In the semifinals, Aquada beat Loutolim, the holders, in the tie-breaker after both teams finished goalless at full-time, and Magao prevailed over Aldona by a solitary goal. Founder and President of the Goan Soccer League, Evaristo Fernandes, remarked, The Goan Soccer League, Toronto, was started in February 1988, where any soccer team could participate from the Toronto. As years went by, I found that the Goan community was increasing and I could see a lot of talent in the young Goan boys. So in 1996, the Inter-village division of the Goan Soccer League commenced with nine (9) teams. The league was divided into two divisions, Salcete Division with four teams and Bardez Division with five (5) teams." He further stated, "As the years go by the league is getting better and better in all aspects of the sport. The discipline on the part of the players has improved. The games are getting so competitive that in the last few seasons, the teams were so close in points that it was very difficult to who would emerge winners of the title." Editor of South Asian Observer, Eugene Correia, was the chief guest at the final. **** Check www.goanvoice.uk.org for photo. Also check www.southasianobserver.com, and see link in Canadian South Asian News link.
