The Memorial Cup 2013 MAIN DRAW of the Royceton Gomes Memorial Football Tournament was inaugurated today by Mrs. Mary D’cruz, the Aunt of Royceton Gomes, hoisting the Royceton Gomes Memorial Sports Flag amidst bugles blowing. Shortly after the Opening Prayer was said by the President of the Royceton Committee, Mrs. Janet Viegas, the Sportsman’s Oath was read by Mr. Maurice D’cruz, Committee Member.
Inspite incessant Belgaum rains, the first match kicked-off at 3:00 PM with last year’s Winners Islamiya High School playing against Mahila Vidyalaya School. Even though Islamiya appeared to have an upper hand, Mahila Vidyalaya presented great defence which was seconded by numerous saves by the goal-keeper Vinayak Yashwant. In the first half, two goals were scored by Abuzar Bhisti for Islamiya School in the 18th and 24th minutes. In the second half, Abuzar Bhisti of Islamiya continued his scoring streak by scoring another goal in the 33rd minute. Another goal for Islamiya was scored by Wasi Gheewala in the 46th minute. Islamiya won the match 4 – 0.
In the second match of the day, last year’s Runners-Up St. Paul’s High School played against St. Xavier’s High School. The score opened early by Makrand Halgekar scoring a goal for St. Paul’s in the 4th minute. St. Xavier’s fought hard to score but St. Paul’s dominated the game overall by Atif Mujawar scoring continuous double goals in the 10th and 35th minutes. St. Paul’s won the match 3 – 0.
In the third and final match of the day, First Qualifier Herwadkar School played against Phoenix Eng Med School. The captain of Herwadkar, Srihari Ughade, opened the score early by scoring a goal in the 5th minute. Soon after, Kushal Kutre scored a goal in the 19th minute for Herwadkar. In the second half, Phoenix School changed goal-keepers and Rahul Gondhali took over the reigns. He played brilliantly and did not allow a single goal to pass against repeated aggressive shots fired by Herwadkar. The second half was goal-less. Herwadkar School won the match 2 – 0.
Tomorrow, Friday, 2nd August, at 2:30 PM Marathi Vidyaniketan will play against Second Qualifier KLE International School. At 3:30 PM Dnyan Prabodhan School will play against will play against Mahila Vidyalaya School and at 4:30 PM, Beynon Smith School will play against St. Xavier’s High School.