Mogaveera SC emerged champions defeating Jai Bharat SC 7-6 via the sudden death penalty shootout in a tense and exciting final of the 21st Late Shri Ramanath Payyade Memorial Football League Tournament 2016 –2017, conducted by the Karnatak Sporting Association and played at the KSA ground, Cross Maidan.
Champions Mogaveera SC proudly pose with the 21st Late Shri Ramanath Payyade Memorial Football Trophy
The title clash witnessed an engrossing tussle for supremacy as both teams adopted a positive, attacking approach. Both sides created quite a number of chances at either end, but neither of the strikers found success in finding the net during normal time. As a result the referee resorted to the tie-breaker to resolve the outcome of the match. However, the deadlock continued as the five sets of penalty kicks were locked at 5-all and the sudden death was enforced. In the sudden death, Mogaveera converted through Bloecher Mendis and Melroy Noronha and Jai Bharat scored only from the first attempt through Rishik Shetty while Soumil Damor’s try from the second kick crashed into the crossbar and ensured Mogaveera clinch the top honours.
In the tie-breaker, Mogaveera successfully scored through Akhay Rathod, Keivan D’Silva, Hitest Karkera, Prakyat Shetty and Praneel Mendon, while Jai Bharat scored through Ravi Rathod, Triptesh Mehta, Prashant Kamble, Ganesh Shetty and Rashid Shaikh.
Chief Guest Aditya Thackeray, Chairman MDFA and President Yuva Sena, presented the ‘Champions Trophy’ and the winner’s cheque of Rs 50,000 to the Mogaveera players. Jai Bharat received the runners-up trophy and a cheque of Rs 40,000. Also present to witness the final was Dr. P.V. Shetty, President, KSA, Jaya Shetty, Hon. Secretary, KSA, Executive Committee Members KSA and other dignitaries.
Earlier, Satya Vijaya SC defeated Karnatak Amateurs SC 5-3 via the tie-breaker after their third place match finished in a goalless draw. Satya Vijaya went home richer by Rs 20,000 and Karnatak Amateurs got Rs 10,000.
Results – finals: Mogaveera SC 7 (Akhay Rathod, Keivan D’Silva, Hitest Karkera, Prakyat Shetty, Praneel Mendon, Bloecher Mendis, Melroy Noronha) beat Jai Bharat SC 6 (Ravi Rathod, Triptesh Mehta, Prashant Kamble, Ganesh Shetty, Rashid Shaikh, Rishik Shetty) via the sudden death. Full time : 0-0, Tie-breaker : 5-5.
Third place (hardline): Satya Vijaya SC 5 (Tushar Poojary, Tejas Poojary, Melwyn Castelino, Nishant Shetty, Ankita Chowla) beat Karnatak Amateurs SC 3 (Nimesh Ragawal, Ashish Gonsalves, Riddic Carlos).
Other awards – Best goalkeeper: Rajesh Bangera – Mangalore Blues SC, Best defender: Ketan Kalsetkar – Mogaveera, Best midfielder: Sagar Salian – Karnatak SC, Best forward: Tushar Poojary – Satya Vijaya SC.