10th Late Adv. A.R. Kudrolli Memorial Knockout Football Tournament 2016
Goalkeeper Gagan Shetty’s brilliant efforts, which included a fine save in crucial penalty shootout tie-breaker, helped Karnatak Sports Club clinch their maiden crown in the 10th Late Adv. A.R. Kudrolli Memorial Knockout Football Tournament 2016, conducted by The Karnatak Sporting Association and played at the KSA ground, Cross Maidan.
The victorious Karnatak SC players pose with the Late Adv. A.R. Kudrolli Trophy after defeating Udaya SC 5-4 via the tie-breaker in the final.
In the tie-breaker duel, which was enforced to decide the outcome of the final after it had ended in a goalless stalemate, Shetty showed fine anticipation to block Calvin Peraira’s attempt from the ‘spot’. Shetty’s teammates did not let his effort go in vain as they successfully converted all their five attempts to seal a 5-4 win and emerge champions.
Earlier, the title contest witnessed a grim battle for supremacy as both teams tried their best to wrest the advantage. Udaya who were better organised held more of ball possession initially. They also created quite a few openings to put pressure on the Karnatak defence, but could not convert the chances that came their way, including a penalty in the 26th minute. Udaya’s star striker Mohit Gatty failed to beat Karnatak custodian Shetty from the penalty spot.
After the change of ends the contest was evenly balanced as Karnatak started to make raids towards the Udaya goal as there was plenty of action in front of both goals at either end, but failed to produce a single goal and the referee had to enforce the tie-breaker.
In the ensuing penalty shootout, Karnatak scored through Adnan Yalgar, Lawrence Betgeri, Dinesh Pawar, Akshay Pawar and Sagar Shetty, while Udaya scored through Mohit Gatty, Oliver Castelino, Mikhail Rebeiro and Jayesh Naik.
Chief Guest Adv. Shakeel Kudrolli, son of Late Adv A.R. Kudrolli, and Guest of Honour Ryan D’Souza, a former Junior India player, present the Champions Trophy and a cheque of Rs 25,000 to the victorious Karnatak SC players and the runnwers-up trophy and a cheque of Rs 20,000 to Udaya players.
Gagan Shetty and Dinesh Pawar of Karnatak SC were adjudged as the best goalkeeper and midfielder, while Aamir Shaikh and Oliver Castelino of Udaya were declared best defender and forward. All four received a cash award of Rs 1000 each.
Result (final): Karnatak SC 5 (Adnan Yalgar, Lawrence Betgeri, Dinesh Pawar, Akshay Pawar, Sagar Shetty) beat Udaya SC 4 (Mohit Gatty, Oliver Castelino, Mikhail Rebeiro, Jayesh Naik) via the tie-breaker. Full-time 0-0.