Gouravi Mukhi scored five goals to help Jharkhand waltz past home side Goa 8-3 in the final of the 36th Sub-Junior National Championship of the Coca-Cola Cup at the Benaulim Stadium in Goa.
Mukhi gave his side the lead inside the first ten minutes only to double the margin two minutes into the half hour mark.
Goa pegged back with two quick strikes before halftime through Aaron Agnelo Barreto and Boris Jesus D’Mello. But Chotu Tirky made sure the half-time score read in favour of Jharkhand with a goal in stoppage time.
It was all Jharkhand after the break as Mukhi notched up his hattrick in the space of six minutes with Vikash Balmuchu and Ashish Mukhi also getting on the scoresheet on the other side of a consolation strike from Goa’s Aaron Savio Alvares.
“I congratulate Jharkhand who have proven their prowess on the field today,” All India Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das was quoted saying.
“I wish them all the best for the future as they get ready to reach higher echelons of success in the sport and represent the national team someday.”
“The Coca-Cola Cup has evolved into one of the best platforms for AIFF to identify some of the best footballing talent from around the country and provided them with a stepping stone to build a career in professional football.”
“As in the past, I am positive that the Coca-Cola Cup will provide young footballers with an opportunity to showcase their talent to the right stakeholders and give their career direction and impetus,” Das added.
Debabrata Mukherjee, Vice President, Marketing and Commercial, Coca-Cola India said: “On behalf of Coca-Cola India, I would like to congratulate Jharkhand for their well-deserved win today.”
“In all it was a fantastic display of what India’s future holds and we will continue to support AIFF in its quest to unearth the talent from across India.”
“I am positive that not only the players in the national finals, but all the 40,000 players, who have participated in this edition of Coca-Cola Cup will benefit from the experience and exposure, especially from participating in football.”
Jharkhand peaked at the right time in the tournament’s final round after qualifying hassle free from the zonals. The eventual champions saw off some close encounters beating Maharashtra 7-1 en route for their biggest triumph in the final round.
In the semifinal, they got the better of Chandigarh by two goals to set up a final date with Goa. It was in the all important title clash that the Sayad Bin Abdul Kadir led side spread its wings in full cry to brush aside Goa with a rampant second half.
(Report courtesy AIFF Media)