by
Reigning champions, Fr. Agnel Gymkhana, Vashi reasserted their supremacy in local football as they quelled the determined challenge from Sea View SC, Bandra in a thrilling title clash of the MDFA organized Bombay Gymkhana-Women’s Football League (WFL) – 2012.
Energetic striker Angel Braganza was literally the ‘guardian angel’, for the Vashi outfit as she completed a fine hat-trick in the team’s nail-biting 3-2 victory over their arch-rivals from Bandra, at the Bombay Gym ground on Saturday evening. Jennifer Rayyar and Laura Estibeiro got the two goals for the losers.
Fr. Agnel held a slight edge over their rivals and created the better chances early on. During this period an alert Angel rocked the Sea View citadel with two opportunistic goals to give the seasoned Vashi side a 2-0 cushion.
But Sea View fought back strongly and reduced the margin through Jennifer’s superb effort before Laura’s flag-kick was deflected into the goal by Fr. Agnel custodian Candice Fernandes and both the teams went into the breather on level terms at 2-2.
After the changes of ends Fr. Agnel continued to make inroads into the Sea View territory and from one good combined move Jyotika Murgaonkar sped down the right flank and sent a measured cross into the rival box. Angel showed her class with a clinical finish to bring the smiles back on the faces of her teammates.
Thereafter, Sea View tried hard to get another goal, but all their efforts proved futile.
Earlier, Bodyline FC tamed a young, inexperienced S.P. Academy 4-0 in the Third place match.
The champions, Fr. Agnel received the winners’ trophy and the cash prize of Rs 30,000 from Chief Guest, Suresh Hemady, Vice-President, Bombay Gymkhana. Sea View received the runners-up trophy and a purse of Rs 20,000, while Bodyline received a consolation cash award of Rs 10,000.
Young Abeer Arsiwalla was declared as the most promising player and received a cash prize of Rs 3,000.
Final results: Fr. Agnel Gymkhana 3 (Angel Braganza 3) beat Sea View SC 2 (Jennifer Rayyar, Laura Estibeiro).
Third place: Bodyline FC 4 (Ameeta Venkat, Lubna Shaikh, Juhi Shah, Levahnah Divekar) beat S.P. Academy 0.
