Mumbai: Central Railway struck two late goals to defeat Bandra Packers 3-0 in the final of the 2nd Late Shri Vishwanath Anchan Memorial Veterans’ Football Tournament 2019, organised and hosted by the Karnatak Sporting Association at the Karnatak SA ground, Cross Maidan on Saturday evening. The railwaymen quelled a spirited Bandra Packers when Kasif Jamal converted a penalty in the 18th minute to give Central the lead. Later, Central Railway’s attacking midfielder Arif Ansari capitalised on a defensive lapse and made a solo run before scoring the second two minutes from the final whistle.
Central completed the margin of victory when Amar Pardesi tapped in from close the third goal in additional period to ensure the railwaymen emerged champions.Earlier, Karnatak Sporting Association defeated Maharaja (Air India) 1-0 in the third place match. Melwyn Vaz scored the lone goal in the final minute of the first half. A special award was presented to Maharaja’s Santan D’Souza who was the senior most player who participated in the tournament.
Results (finals)
Central Railway (Kasif Jsmal, Arif Ansari, Amar Pardesi) beat Bandra Packers 0. Third place Karnatak Sporting Association 1 (Melwyn Vaz) beat Maharaja (Air India) 0.
Individual awards – Best goalkeeper: Shyam Sawant (Maharaja, Air India); Best defender: Tabarez Sayyed (Central Railway); Best Midfielder: Savio Rodrigues (Bandra Packers); Best forward: Melwyn Vaz (Karnatak SA).
Player of the tournament: Kasif Jamal (Central Railway).