MAPUSA, MAY 31
Sporting Clube de Goa emerged champions in the U-19 I-League football tournament with a hard fought 4-2 tie-breaker win over East Bengal in the finals in Kolkata on Monday. There was no score at full time as well as extra time.
Sporting Clube kept their cool and converted four out of four spot kicks, while East Bengal managed two out of their allotted four penalties.
Pritam Singh, Pedro Gonsalves, Reliston Fernandes and Joston Pereira were the spot kick heroes for Sporting Clube. Goalkeeper Koushik Ghosh of Sporting Clube saved one penalty while the other penalty was shot wide by East Bengal.
Speaking to Herald, Sporting Clube vice-president, Victor Fernandes said: "This was a wonderful victory for our team which is a result of hard work by coach Severino and manger Franky who guided the team together.”
Sporting booked their place for the second round after finishing top of the Goa Zone securing 10 points with 3 wins and a draw.
This is the second age group tournament Sporting have won this year after securing the GFA U-18 title earlier.
The win by Sporting makes up for the 3-1 defeat in the finals they suffered to Tata Football Academy two years ago.
Meanwhile, GFA president, Joaquim Alemao, secretary Savio Messias, vikce-presdient Elvis Gomes, Vinod Parkkot, asst secretary Jaju Fernandes, treasurer John Dias executive members Anthony Pango, Lavinio Rebello congratulated Sporting for their splendid victory.