Experienced Services edge past Goa to win seventh Santosh Trophy title

Panaji: Goa’s campaign to win the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy for the sixth time ended in heartbreak after losing by a solitary goal against Services in the final on Saturday.
Services defender Shafeel PP took a chance and ended up scoring the all-important goal in the 67th minute at a jam-packed Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh.
Goa went all out in the final quarter but were unlucky as efforts from Joshua D’Silva and Mahammed Faheez were cleared on the goalline.
Goa were runnersup in the 2017 edition when they lost to Bengal in added time at home. Goa last lifted the title in 2009 and their wait for their sixth crown continues.
Meanwhile, Services won their seventh title and sixth in the last 11 editions.
Goa were unbeaten in the campaign and dominated the first session as they had superior ball possession. Charles Dias’ side created chances as well but couldn’t break the deadlock.
At the other end, Services were wary, having lost their group match against Goa, and were happy defending.
Services top scorer Samir Murmu with 10 goals, had the first shot on target, but a feeble one that didn’t trouble Goa custodian Dylan Da Silva.
Goa passed the ball with ease and used the width of the pitch. They took time to get into the box. Faheez’s long ranger was blocked by keeper Sayad Kadir.
When Goa did move into the danger zone, Laximanrao Rane went for glory himself instead of passing to an unmarked Necio Fernandes.
Just before the break, Goa came close on two occasions as Faheez and Necio got involved but their efforts from close were denied by the rival goalkeeper.
As expected, Services changed their approach in the second half and showed urgency to score. They stunned Goa in the 67th minute when Shafeel unleashed a venomous long ranger that gave no chance to a diving Dylan.
Charles didn’t waste time and made a double change, introducing super-sub Joshua along with Vellington Fernandes.
Thereafter, Goa went all out but it was simply not their day. Captain Mohammed Ali’s header was blocked while Vellington’s effort missed the target narrowly.
In added time, Joshua saw his header cleared on the goalline by Pradeep Kumar.
Goa’s last hope was when Faheez skilfully weaved his way into the box, but his effort was again cleared on the goalline by Shafeel, the man who scored the goal that separated the two teams.