Maintaining their superb winning streak, Autonomous FC got the better of Blunders FC 3-1 in an exciting and tense men’s final, to lay their hands on the Late Darryl Crasto Memorial Trophy, in the Catholic Gymkhana Annual Rink Football tournament. Autonomous were well-served by Dwig Amalkar, Winston D’Silva and Pranay Pawankar, all finding success with a goal each to clinch the issue in favour of their team. Blunders scored the lone through Sagar Khanvilkar.
The Autonomous FC players are all smiles as they receive the Late Darryl Crasto Memorial Trophy from Joan Crasto (4th right), wife of Darryl Crasto and Chief Guest, Eliza Nelson , hockey Olympian
The winning Autonomous team received the handsome Darryl Crasto Memorial Trophy and a cash award of Rs 20,000 from Joan Crasto, wife of Darryl Crasto and Chief Guest, Eliza Nelson, hockey Olympian and captain of the Indian women’s hockey team which won the gold at 1982 Asian Games. Joan presented Blunders FC with the runners-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 15,000.
The tournament committee named Winston D’Silva of Autonomous as the ‘Player of the final’ and he was presented with a Trophy and cash award of Rs 2,000.
Meanwhile in the veteran men’s final, State Bank of India from a 0-2 first half deficit staged a remarkable recovery scoring four goals in the second period to snatch a deserving 4-2 victory against Golden Boys, Malad and emerge champions claiming the Late Neville D’Souza Memorial Trophy and the cash award of Rs 15,000. Golden Boys received the runner-up cash prize of Rs 10,000.
Golden Boys made a strong start with Philip D’Souza and Francis Fernandes scoring a goal each to put them in a commanding position. But State Bank came up with a strong, determined second half display and with Santosh More playing a pivotal role they managed to strike back with vengeance hitting the target four times to run away with the match. More and Lawrence DSouza scored two goals each. Lawrence whose second strike was a spectacular bicycle kick was rightly declared ‘Player of the final’ and he was presented with a Trophy and cash prize of Rs 2,000.
Results – Men Open for Darryl Crasto Memorial Trophy (finals): Autonomous FC 3 (Dwig Amalkar, Winston D’Silva, Pranay Pawankar) beat Blunders FC 1 (Sagar Khanvilkar). Player of the final: Winston D’Silva (Autonomous FC).
Veteran’s Men for the Neville D’Souza Memorial Trophy (final): State Bank of India 4 (Lawrence D’Souza 2, Santosh More 2) beat Golden Boys, Malad 2 (Philip D’Souza, Francis Fernandes). Player of the final: Lawrence D’Souza (State Bank of India).