Riding on the brilliance of enterprising striker Arnold Olveira, who scored a hat-trick, Holy Spirit Institute, Margao continued their dominance in inter school football.
the goan I network
MARGAO
The Margao school boys successfully defended their South Goa District Under-14 Boys Subroto Mukherjee inter school football tournament organized by Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs by defeating Regina Mundi High School, Vasco 4-0 in the final at Government Village School Playground, Cuncolim on Saturday morning. Holy Spirit Institute led 3-0 at the break.
Prolific striker Arnold Olveira, the spearhead of the Holy Spirit attack, showed excellent finishing and opened the flood gates in the very 16th minute when he picked up the ball from Myron Fernandes and beat the rival goalkeeper Elton Fernandes. Two minutes later, Arnold did well to get to the end of a Treston Noronha cross from the left and cleverly slotted past the rival goalkeeper to give his team 2-0 cushion.
Spurred by the double lead, Holy Spirit Institute upped the ante and in the 22nd minute, Myron Fernandes punished the rival goalkeeper with a deft placement. At the other hand, Regina Mundi High School, who were fighting a losing battle, seldom troubled the rival goalkeeper Jordan Fernandes, who had an easy day in office.
Crossing over, Holy Spirit Institute continued to enjoy the lion's share of exchanges and in the 46thminute, Arnold fired home giving no chance to the rival goalkeeper to register his hat-trick.
"I was confident we would win, and the entire team contributed to it. We dominated to score goals with ease. I knew if we get one goal, we will score a couple more. I finally broke the deadlock and soon the next three goals followed," a smiling Arnold said after the game.
"Overall, it was an excellent team effort," Arnold said. "We have a good attacking side and have good coordination and understanding among us. That's the reason for the big win," Arnold, who scored five hat-tricks, added.
"Our coach, Robert Fernandes Sir, makes us train hard and always guides us. He teaches us different strategies and we try to use them in our games. Almost every day, I practise shooting at the goal and also work on my dribbling skills. I feel this is key for a striker," added the youngster, who adores Portugal striker Christiano Ronaldo.
Holy Spirit Institute coach Robert Fernandes beamed, "A victory is always great because you cannot take it for granted. Each game is important. But this triumph is sweeter as we defended the title," Fernandes said.
