Futsal
Minerva Academy win Futsal Club Championship
Nikhil Mali was adjudged the Best Player of the tournament.
Minerva Academy (Source: AIFF)
Goalkeeper Scott Moraes stood tall as Minerva Academy FC won the Hero Futsal Club Championship at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall here on Sunday, February 19, 2023.
The goalkeeper saved three of the four shots from Mohammedan Sporting to hand Minerva the title. On the other hand, Mohammedan custodian Augustin Savio D’Mello Rugved Yeole's shot. The tie-breaker ended 3-1 in favour of Minerva Academy.
The match ended 2-2 in regulation time as well as extra time. Mohammedan had taken the lead through Suvo Khatoora but Clinton D’Souza equalised for Minerva in the first half itself.
Then Radhakanta Singh made it 2-1 for the eventual winners. But his strike was neutralised by Sandeep Oraw’s goal.
Mohammedan’s big success was not allowing tournament’s top-scorer (25 goals) Nikhil Mali any goals but it was fitting that he took the final shot in the shootout to beat Augustin, and win the trophy for his team. Mali was adjudged the Best Player of the tournament.
