In the final match of the soccer tournament at Poriat Ground, Calangute, organized by Calangute Association, on Sunday 8thof this month, Candolim defeated Calangute in a Tie-breaker when both the teams played a goalless draw during the normal time. Though Calangute had an upper hand to clinch the glittering Rolling Trophy yet it was Candolim that won the day in the final watched by lot of spectators mainly from both the villages and also from the neighboring villages. Though it was a competitive clash between the two neighbours yet it was played in a very friendly atmosphere where even the spectators showed their friendly nature. The final score was 4-2. The chief guest of the day was MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and guest of honour Ms Pascoala Fernandes – the village Sarpanch. As special invitees among others present were local Pe. Vigar Fr. Cypriano D’Silva, Joseph Sequeira ex Sarpanch and others. The winners were awarded with the Trophy and cash prize of Rs. 40,000/- while the runners-up with Rs. 30,000/-.
This tournament for the second year consequently was sponsored by Hotel Goan Heritage – Calangute.
Seen are both the teams to be introduced to the guests
During those good old days when both the neighbours played there was lot of excitement in the game as those players had class in them having mastery in accurate passing, shooting, running and controlling the ball. During those days players from both the teams made use of their brain power more than foot power. Besides they had physical stature befitting their class of soccer.
On Sunday in the final there was no acrobatic goalkeeper Peter Gomes under the bar of Calangute goal, so also there was no gigantic defender like Joshe to man the defence line of Calangute, neither there was no midfield maestro Bhaskar to orchestrate their midfield. In their forward line Calangute lacked the genius of Eustaqio, Alex Coutinho and Paklu. In fact Eustaqio was such an excellent sharp shooter that he was scoring goals even direct from the corner kicks thru his right leg. All these yesteryears players of Calangute were not only the great footballers who brought name and fame for their village but they were Calangute legends whose memory will not easily relinquish from my mind. I played against them and experienced the beauty of their soccer skill.
About Candolim, there was no Razo under their bar nor defender Andrew Machado and Ladru to repel the opponents attacks successfully. In their half line there was no Jose Marie, no Madhu, no Kamal who were not only playing football but like magicians entertaining the spectators with the ball on their feet and also in aerial duels where Jose Marie was exceptionally talented of whose type you cannot see now. He had his genius in scoring goals thru header from the corner kicks. In their forward line there was none to compare the indomitable duo of strikers Cheddo whose power packed right footers were just a thriller and Babazinho Machado whose dribbling power was just unmatchable. All these whose names I mentioned can be easily called the Candolim legends on whose feet on soccer ground the name and honour of Candolim revolved.
Quality wise from what I saw in this final and that too after a long gap in Goa, the standard of football in our locality is very poor and this has to be raised by hiring good coaches and by establishing football academies in both the villages to develop the performance of the boys. These academies must focus their attention on very young boys by imparting them with necessary skills. To do this the finance can be collected from the hoteliers from the localities. As it is this time Hotel Goan Heritage gave Rupees Two Lakhs. There are so many big hotels in Candolim and Calangute and they should be approached by the local authorities to contribute for the establishment of the soccer academies. We have heard how elsewhere Hoteliers were pushed to sponsor the top footballers. The hoteliers from Calangute and Candolim are duty bound to support local projects for the development of the localities. In our localities they make lot of money and as such they must be made to share their profit with the localities.
Now, the ball is in the court of sports authorities of Calagute and Candolim. They must make the first move.