Hosts Goa were in for a heartbreak in beach football gold medal match as Kerala came from behind to shock the hosts 7-5 at the 37th National Games Goa 2023 at Colva beach on Wednesday evening.
Goa captain Pedro Gonsalves scored a hat-trick and his goals in the 9th minute (penalty), 11th minute and 13th minute; had put Goa in 3-1 lead before Kerala made it 3-3. Richard Cardoz netted a goal late in the second period to hand the lead to the hosts, who were coached by Indian football legend Bruno Coutinho, India beach football team coach.
The third and final period, however, belonged to Kerala as the National beach football champions pumped in four goals. Richard Cardoz found the target but Goa could not catch up with Kerala, who celebrated ecstatically at the final whistle.
Musheer TKB was the hat-trick hero for Kerala; while Muhammed Unais, Umarul Mukthar KK, Rohith Y and Ali Akbar AP scored one goal each for Kerala, who were coached by Shasin Chandran Koroth.
The hosts added another silver medal to their kitty as Roshan Karki clinched second place in Changquan event of Wushu competition at the Campal Games village in Panaji, and took their medals tally to 32 medals.
Goa occupy the 20th spot in the medal tally with two gold, seven silver and 23 bronze medals.
