KSA ADV Kudrolli football
Karnataka Sports Club ( KSC) combined well as a team and dished out a fluent attacking performance to send defending champions Star of Canara SC crashing to a 3-0 defeat in the final of the Karnatak Sporting Association organised 12th Late Adv. A.R. Kudrolli Memorial knockout football tournament 2018 and played at the KSA ground, Cross Maidan. After former international Steven Dias provided KSC with 1-0 half-time lead striker Amey Bhatkal scored two goals in the second period to help Karnataka SC emerge champions.
Playing as a well-organised outfit Karnataka SC showed excellent understanding and good teamwork were dominant through the match. On the other hand, Star of Canara tried their best to keep [ace with their younger opponents and did well to create quite a few scoring opportunities.
KSC after probing for long spells final managed to get the breakthrough when Astle Pereira with a measured through pass put Dias in the clear and the former India winger Dias coolly slotted home from close in the 23rd minute.
The Karnataka side continued to call the shot after the break and seven minute into the second half, Bhatkal chased a long ball and sprinted past the Canara defenders before scoring with low angular shot from the left. With five minutes remaining for the final whistle Dias sent a swerving cross into the rival box and Bhtakal darted in and with a smart back-heel found the net to complete the win.
The victorious Karnataka players received the prestigious Adv A.R. Kudrolli Memorial Trophy and a cash award of Rs 25,000 from Chief Guest, Shyam Sawant, former Maharashtra and Air India goalkeeper. Star of Canara were presented with the runner-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 20,000.
Bhatkal for his fantastic performance throughout the tournament and scoring six goals was adjudged as the ‘Player of the Tournament’.
Results (finals): Karnataka SC 3 (Amey Bhatkal 2, Steven Dias 1) beat Star of Canara SC 0.
Individual awards – Player of the tournament: Amey Bhatkal (KSC – 6 goals); Best Goalkeeper: Kishen Sulegai (KSC); Best Defender: Lawrence Betgiri (KSC); Best Midfielder: Astle Pereira (KSC); Best Forward: Ashton Dias (Star of Canara);