MAPUSA: Sodiem Siolim Sports Club held their nerve to clinch Nerul Panchayat Cup on Saturday with a narrow 3-2 tie-breaker win over hot favourites Candolim Sports Club. The tournament was organised by Nerul Sports Club at Nerul grounds.

In a thrilling encounter witnessed by a large crowd, Nerul dominated and had better scoring opportunities. Twice in the match, goal-bound attempts of Prestonio Fernandes and Anthony Fernandes were either stopped by Candolim keeper Bharat Morje or missed the target narrowly. Candolim too had their chances, where Wesceslau Rebello was a threat for the Sodiem defence but did not get the required support from Roy Das. Candolim medio Jolief Simoes’ rasping 25-yard shot was brilliantly pushed for a corner by diving Sodiem keeper Pandhari Tahankar.
With the match locked in a goalless draw the result of the match was decided via tie-breaker, where Raghu Shirodkar, Rakesh Vaigankar and Prestonio Fernandes shot on target for the winners while Shankar Palyekar, Jolief Simoes scored for Candolim.
Sodiem pocketed the winners cash prize of Rs 20,000 and a trophy while Candolim had to be content with runners-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 15,000.
Before the start of the second session, the Nerul Sports Club officials Mr Prakash Kalangutkar, president, Mr Bhanudas Madgaokar, secretary, Mr Rohidas Panjikar, treasurer and Mr Sudesh Govekar, vice-president, introduced the chief guest Mr Lavino Rebello, GFA executive member and guest of honour Ms Sarita S Shirodkar, local sarpanch, Mr Pradeep Dhuri, Mr Kalidas Pednekar and Mr Stanley D’Silva along with VP panch members to the teams and match officials.
Individual prizes: Best Goalkeeper: Pandhari Tahankar – Sodiem, Best Defender: Sushant Vaigankar – Sodiem, Best Half: Jolief Simoes – Candolim, Best Forward: Anthony Fernandes, First scorer of the finals: Shankar Palyekar – Candolim, Best defender of the tournament: Shankar Palyekar – Candolim.