MAPUSA: The astro-turf at Peddem is certainly making a difference to Goan hockey. This year’s Nehru Cup Juniors hockey tournament organised by Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, has generated immense enthusiasm and the performance by teams especially from Goan villages like Keri and Morlem, have been promising. Although debutants Govt HS Keri went down narrowly in the tie-breaker in the state-leg final today, they were by far the best team on show in the U-17 girls tournament. St Anthony HS-Duler (Mapusa) were triumphant in the thrilling title clash and will represent Goa in the national leg in Delhi.
Govt HS Keri had the best opportunities in the regulation time but failed to finish most of them. Their opponents St Anthony HS Duler played well in patches while the scoreline was 2-2 at the end of fourth quarter. The shoot-out ended 5-4 in favour of St Anthony. Varsha scored 2 goals, Jiya, Amisha and Rasika scored 1 goal each for Duler. Saloni scored 2 goals, Amita and Mayusha scored a goal each for Keri.
In the third-fourth place match, Govt HS Morlem beat Our Lady of Lourdes HS Utorda 9-0. Sindiya scored 3 goals, Tanvi and Aparna scored 2 goals each, Siddhi and Gayatri scored 1 goal each.
Redeto De Souza, former Dy-Director of DSYA, was the chief guest for the prize distribution ceremony. Sadanand Sawal Desai, APEO, Incharge of MSSS and Sanjay Shirodkar, State Sports Organiser were also present among others.
