In a clash of India's most dominant 'footie'' regions, GOA ended a super season, with the Coach Mariano guided boys pulling off a 4-2 win over Bengal via SUDDEN DEATH in the final of the 2009 63rd National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy played in chennai this evening, certaininl;y well deserved icing on the cake for the Goa football Association secretary savio messias who takes who takes the GFA into its golden jubilee season. .
Goa which has easily dominated the Indian football scenario in the last five seaons (2004-05 to 2009) exorcised the ghosts of the past by taking home the most coveted and the only PRIZE that eluded the state in the last three seasons. It was Goas first win against Bengal in six meetings in the final and their fifth title triumph and fourth outright (they were joint-winners once). Bengal last won in 1999 whilst Goa took the cup 1n 2005. After a goaless 90 minutes and half-hour of extra-time period which saw both teams put up a gritty fight in an entertaining and evenly balanced encounter it was heartbreak for Bengal and 'Santosh "zalem Goem.Leading to the penalty shootout, Climax Lawrence, Beevan DMello, John Charles Dias and Fulganco Cardozo converted for Goa. former International and spoting clube de Goa 's man in the den Captain Felix DSouza brought off saves off Safar Sardar and Lalkamal Bhowmik. as Bengal Snehashish Chakraborty and Pachau Lalam Puia found the net for Bengal. *Goan skipper Saligao lad felix DSouza thus came through the tournament without conceding a goal during regulation period to emulate fellow Goan and the legendary goalie Bramhanand Shankwalkar who was so far the only goalie in India to do so three decades ago. Climax and Covan Lawrence who have a plaY in separarte units in club football, also bagged have the distinction of being the only "Brothers on Field' for both 2004-05 and the current Santosh Triumphs.* Bengal paid a heavy price with a slightly casual approach of their strikers missing scoring chances galore while Goa, playing their eighth match in three weeks, looked more likely to score though neither could break the deadlock.. Bengal kicked off in style and had Goa under pressure with a series of raids as they intelligently moved the ball around from flank to flank to keep the defenders guessing. but couldnt get past some commited and clean defending from mercurial defender Mahesh Gawli who was equally matched by SOME inspired defending by Covan Lawrence .GOA's Young gunners however, were found inexeperienced in positioning and anticipation despite a constant supply of exellent crosses from Nicholas Rodrigues (left) and Wilton Gomes (right) from the wings and midfield play lead by Climax lawrence . After lemon break, it was Goa who took the initiative and in fact looked more dangerous when on the move.in the second half using the width of the field to stretch the Bengal defence that just about managed to avert danger. *Marcus Mascarenhas, the livewire in the Goan ranks was undoubtedly the player of the match for Goa, kept the team move with splitters from the midfield and then following up on the attacks.* and the Bengal goal looked certain to fall at any moment. A few close shaves kept Bengal in the game, but their defending left a lot to be desired. The Goan forwards too were guilty wasting a couple of great scoring chances off some . In the dying moments,Felix DSouzas courage and reflexes to bring off a couple of saves to take the game into 'sudden death'..for Bengal. whilst Tamil-Nadu younster Muthu bagged the "player off the tourney' , Goa who did not have a single foul in the final also took the Fair Play award. Bengal tiger endangered ?well thats a good debate for another day .Football loving GOANS are getting set to welcome victorius team Goa (at 5 pm,tommorow) in a rally linning the streets from southernest Pallolem to the hub of our football ,the PJN stadium at fatorda. Right now, its SANTOSH times iN GOA.. \
