Sacred Heart Parish, Vashi dished out a spirited performance as they recovered brilliantly to score a hard-fought 2-1 win against St. Blaise Parish, Amboli in an absorbing and keenly contested the final of the 2nd Bishop Allwyn D’Silva Rink Football Championship, organised by the Sports Council of St. John the Baptist Church, Thane and played at the Church ground.
The players of the victorious Sacred Heart Parish team are all smiles as they receive the ‘Champions’ trophy of the 2nd Bishop Allwyn D’Silva Rink Football Championship, from Bishop Allwyn D’Silva and Chief Guest, Henry Menezes, CEO WIFA.
The highlight of Sacred Heart’s victory was the twin strikes from their prolific scorer Axel Peters, which secured their win.
The spirited St. Blaise stunned the rival citadel when their consistent goal-scorer Dustin D’Costa found the back of the net in the eighth minute and provide his team a slender 1-0 half-time lead.
However, after switching ends, the Sacred Heart outfit put up a much improved display and created the better chances. Striker Axel Peters did well to convert from two opportunities to seal Sacred Heart’s triumph.
Earlier, in the semi-finals, St. Blaise routed Holy Cross Parish ‘B’, Kurla 6-1. Harold Fernandes and Jason Miranda both struck a brace of goals each and Vernon Alva and Dustin D’Costa chipped in with one each for the winners, while Rurak D. netted the lone goal for the losers.
In the second semi-final, Sacred Heart tamed Our Lady of Salvation, Dadar by a comfortable 3-1 margin. For Sacred Heart the goals came through the efforts of Siddharth Colaco, Dexter Peters and Francisco Dominic, while the Dadar Parish reduced the margin of defeat through a strike from Neville C.
Francisco Dominic of Sacred was later declared as the ‘Player of the Tournament’.
Bishop Allwyn D’Silva and Chief Guest, Henry Menezes, CEO WIFA, presided over the prize distribution ceremony and presented the Trophies and awards to the winning and runners-up teams.
Results – Final: Sacred Heart Parish, Vashi 2 (Axel Peters 2) beat St. Blaise Parish, Amboli 1 (Dustin D’Costa).
Semi-finals: St. Blaise 6 (Harold Fernandes 2, Jason Miranda 2 Vernon Alva, Dustin D’Costa) beat Holy Cross Parish ‘B’, Kurla 1 (Rurak D).
Sacred Heart 3 (Siddharth Colaco, Dexter Peters, Francisco Dominic) beat Our Lady of Salvation, Dadar 1 (Nevillle C).