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* 118 goals scored in two matches * Four clubs placed under suspension 2nd Division League Herald Sports Reporter Curtorim 61 : Sangolda 01 Wilred 55 : Dona Paula 01 PANJIM, Feb 16: The match fixing bug has now plagued Goan football. And it has come at a time when Goan football's competent fame has extended byond the walls of the All India Football Federation. This evening, Goa Football Association suspended four clubs -- Dona Paula Sports Club, Wilred Leisure Sports Club, Curtorim Gymkhana and Sangolda Lightening -- after two matches they were involved in ended with a scoreline that would even put basketball results to shame. At Duler grounds, Mapusa, Wilred Leisure Sports Club scored an improbable 55-1 victory over Dona Paula Sports Club in the final play-off match of the Second Division League. Four of the goals, ironically, were self-scored. Wilfred Leisure Sports Club needed a big-win to qualify for the First Division League. Thanks to Dona Paula's benevolence, they had little trouble in scoring a big win but at CRC grounds (Chinchinim), Curtorim Gymkhana and Sangolda Lightening had other ideas, probably on the same lines of those minds at Duler. At Chinchinim, Curtorim Gymkhana scored a big 61-1 goal win over Sangolda Lightening. There was joy in the Curtorim camp as that win meant they had sealed their berth in the First Division League. But minutes later, that joy turned sour as the Goa Football Association kept in abeyance its decision of who would actually qualify for the First Division League. "All the four teams have been placed under indefinite suspension. This is clear match-fixing and the GFA will not tolerate such nonsense. It's very sad that such things have plagued Goan football," GFA secretary Savio Messias told Herald. The Disciplinary Committee of the GFA is expected to meet on Wednesday, February 18 after the conclusion of India's World Cup qualifier against Singapore, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. The fate of the four teams is now in the hands of the Disciplinary Committee but the GFA secretary said the punishment would be exemplary. "We should send the message across ternly," he told this paper. The GFA had infact sensed that something suspicious would occur in the final play-off matches. Three observers from the GFA were posted at Duler while the Chinchinim was also witnessed by GFA officials. "I knew the teams would be upto something. Till around half-time it was smooth sailing and I believed my worst fears would not turn out to be true," Mr Messias disclosed. Messias has a point. At both the places, the match -- uptil at least the half time -- progressed on expected lines with Curtorim leading by a fourth minute goal and Wilfred Leisure leading by six goals. What happened after the change of ends was simply improbable. No sooner word on the suspension of the clubs went around, club officials went into a shell. Despite the best of attempts, they were not available for comments. Herald did manage to get across to one of the Dona Paula officials, who denied any money changed hands. "There was no match fixing and no money changed hands," a Dona Paula Sports Club official told Herald. "Many of our players were injured and the team what we fielded today was a forced one. Ours is a rich club and we do not need such kind of money," he hastened to add, but had no answers for the basketball scoreline. Officials of both the clubs who had a chance of qualifying -- Wilred Leisure and Curtorim Gymkhana -- were posted at either venues. Right through the match they kept themselves abrest about the happenings at Duler and Chinchinim. OUR DULER CORRESPONDENT ADDS: Right from the start, it was clear wich way the match was heading. Minuges into the game, Dona Paula strikers Nitish Gadekar and Newton Pereira shot amazingly wide with only the rival goalkeepers at their mercy. The Dona Paula defenders then handed the ball cheaply to Wilred strikers, allowing them to score at their own will. In the second session, the Dona Paula keeper was substituted by Zito Estrocio, who was -- or rather, pretended -- to be a novice under the goal, allowing his opponents to score goals at regular intervals. For the last 20 minutes, goalkeeper Zito was replaced by his playing teammate who not only let the goals in, but also stopped the ball from crossing the goaline and set the ball on the platter of his opponent. Wilred Leisure got the goals through the boots and heads of Remy Araujo (10), Freddy Oliveira (9), Anthony Fernandes (8), Valenton Fernandes (7), Joy Fernandes (6), Minguel Hillario (4), Bruno Fernandes (4), Vincent Rebello (2) and Mariano Silva (1). Dona Paula's Newton Pereira (3) and Anthony Viegas (1) helped Wilred's cause through self-goals. The consolation goal for Dona Paula was scored by their keeper Howell Braganza, who had just moved upfront. Thematch was witnessed by a big crowd, which included GFA executive committee and sub-committee members. OUR MARGAO REPORTER ADDS: At Chinchinim, Curtorim Gymkhana scored 61 goals against one goal from Sangolda Lightening, Sangolda. Till half-time, everything went smoothly with Curtorim leading by a solitary goal scored in the very 4th minute by Milagres Fernandes. After changing over, the goal rush started with players from Sangolda Sporting -- under obvious instructions -- just going through the motions. Referee Benjamin Silva had a tough time in controlling the proceedings and stuck to the task with aplomb, warning players of Sangolda. On a couple of occasions, Benjamin ordered for retake of goal kicks and start of the match proceedings from centre, as players from Sangolda were keen in starting the proceedings not from the centre spot. Silva also cautioned Sangolda defender Marcelino Dias, who recently turned out for India Under-19, with a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. Sangolda goalkeeper Venkatesh Chimulkar also got the yellow card from the Referee for handling the ball outside the restricted area. For Curtorim, captain Mario Mascarenhas top scored with 12 goals, while Milagres Fernandes who started the scoring in the first half, pumped in eight goals. In all, eleven players had goals against their names, including a substitute Viegas (4). Only goalkeeper Seby Castanha did not join the scoring feast against a hapless Sangolda outfit. Sony Gomes (4), Caitan Cardozo (4), Santan Cardozo (5), Vincente Castana (4), Socorro Cardozo (4), Rosemond Rebello (7), Piedade Rebello (4) and Caetano X Mascarenhas were among the goal-getters. Substitute Julius D'Costa pulled one back for Sangolda in the 28th minute of the second half. - - - - - - - "WE GAVE THEM A CHANCE" PANJIM, Feb 16: One of the Club officials involved in the match-fixing scandal that rocked Goan football today stoically claimed that neither money changed hands nor was it a pre-planned affair. "I do not know about the other teams but certainly we did not do it for money," the Club official told Herald after being informed about the suspension. "Minutes into the game, we got to hear about the other team leading by a solitary goal and all seemed fair. Suddenly, news reached us that the team had pumped 15 goals and it was a clear case of match-fixing. We gave our opponents a chance to teach the match-fixers a lesson," the official maintained. The influential club official said his club had enough money in its coffers and the club did not need money "through unfair means" to sustain itself. - - - - - - - CURTORIM SECRETARY RESIGNS PANJIM, Feb 16: Ashamed and shocked at what transpired at CRC grounds, Chinchinim, Curtorim Gymkhana general secretary Arnold D'Costa late tonight resigned from the Club. Arnold D'Costa, who is also an executive committee member of the Goa Football Association, tendered hsi resignation from the Club after they were suspended by the GFA for match-fixing. "I am extremely shocked and disgraced at what transpired at Chinchinim. I will, however, continue supporting the club for a good cause," Arnold wrote in his resignation letter. ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
