NT NETWORK
PANAJI
Tuff Laxmi Prasad SC registered a comprehensive 5-2 win over Salgaocar FC in the finals of the 13th Goa Police Cup football tournament to lay their hands on the coveted trophy at Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Wednesday.
Salgaocar youngsters found it tough going against a side that had big names such as Climax Lawrence, Micky Fernandes, Nicholas Rodrigues, Biju Kumar and Nigerian striker ND Opara. Both sides saw a lot of early exchanges with the ball mostly confined to the midfield and no real clear cut chances created in the first quarter. Laxmi Prasad however broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when a corner from the left resulted in a goal mouth melee with the ball falling kindly for Biju Kumar who was well placed to slot home.
Salgaocar could have drawn level eight minutes later but spurned a glorious opportunity as Naro Hari’s spot kick crashed against the upright and went out. This after the player was brought down by keeper Kunal Sawant. Laxmi Prasad did most of the running but had to resort to shooting from distance as the Salgaocar defence held firm.
The Bardez outfit however did match to double their lead just before the breather as a fierce free-kick taken by Micky Fernandes from about 25 yards out saw Rohan Sheikh pull off a fine save. However, Nicholas Rodrigues who was lurking slotted home the rebound.
Salgaocar did come out in the second period looking to find a way through the Laxmi Prasad defence, and managed to create a number of opportunities. Harmanjot Singh, on the right in particular, kept the Laxmi Prasad defence on their toes sending in some fine crosses. On one such occasion, Naro failed to make decent contact and the ball was scrambled out. Minutes later, Myron Borges had a shy but Kunal Sawant was up to the task.
In the 70th minute, Laxmi Prasad scored a third when a wicked deflection off a free-kick landed at the feet of Mackroy Peixoto who found the back of the net from close range. Despite trailing by three goals Salgaocar did not give up and scored a goal through Harmanjot Singh.
At 3-1, the Greens went all out and almost pulled back another but Myron’s effort was smartly saved by rival keeper. The game was put beyond the Greens when Laxmi Prasad scored two goals in quick succession — in the 83rd and 85th minute — first through Agnelo Colaco and later through ND Opara.
Salgaocar did score their second in the 90th minute when Stefen Fernandes brought down beautifully a cross from Raja from the left and smashed home with his left foot. Despite being on the wrong side of a 5-2 score line, Salgaocar’s teenagers exceeded all expectations by making the finals and overall gave a really good account of themselves.
Winners Laxmi Prasad took home a glittering trophy and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, out of which they donated Rs 50,000 to Goa Police SC. Runner-up Salgaocar received Rs 1 lakh and also a trophy. Mackroy Peixoto was voted the man-of-the-match while Nicholas Fernandes of Churchill Brother SC finished as the tournament’s highest goal scorer.