MAPUSA: Goa fought gallantly to register a hard- fought 4-2 win via tie-breaker over Chandigarh in the finals, to annex the U-19 National School Games Football Championship title, played at Jammu, on Saturday.

Both the teams fought on equal footing in the first session of play. On crossing over, Goa keeper Marshal Fernandes, came to his team’s rescue by pulling off two outstanding saves. It was the Goa keeper Marshal, who had saved two penalties in the semis, once again stopped two penalty kicks in the tie-breaker to give the much- awaited title to Goa.

Agnelo Fernandes, Rakesh Kumar, Mazhar Ali and Alber Gonsalves were the other goal-scorers for Goa.

Speaking to the Goa coaches, Mutawali and Baptist Fernandes, both of them gave due credit to the players for keeping their consistency, till the final match. "It was mere hard work and team spirit that gave the title to Goa after a long wait."

It was an extra joy for coach Baptist as he had won the title as a player at Kashmir and now as a coach.