New Delhi: In an absorbing final IOC Garhwal Heroes ousted newcomers VVIP Goodwill FC 1-0 to clinch the 2012-13 DLF-ONGC, DSA Senior Division League Championship title.
Lanky Nigerian striker Joseph Camara in his first season with the club scored the match
winner in the 47th minute heading in a measured cross from the right by experienced midfielder Lalit Rawat. Garhwal Heroes bagged the DLF-ONGC DSA Excellence Prize along with cash prize of Rs. 1,50,000.
Runners Up Goodwill FC got Rs. 75,000 and a trophy. Both losing semi finalists G-Pride Veteran FC and ISS Delhi United got Rs. 40,000 each.
This is their second DSA league title. IOC Garhwal Heroes last won the DSA soccer league title way back in 1986, when they had beaten Youngsters FC also by 1-0 in
the final at the Nehru stadium, Delhi.
Coached by former Delhi state and Border Security Force midfielder Sukhpal Singh Bisht, Garhwal Heroes were the dominant side in the final and could have won by a larger margin. They played in the 4-4-2 formation and used the thrust of wingers Kulbhushan Mandrawal on the left and Lalit on the right to create several dangerous moves, for their strikers the bustling Ganagamlung Kamei and roving Camara.
Newly promoted Goodwill FC, gave a spirited display in the first half. Their defence was ably marshaled by skipper Onyeka Frank, Sanjay Nihal and right back Ravinder Mohan Bisht. Midfielders Emmanuel and Balbir also played deep to thwart the Garhwal Heroes moves.
In the 47th minute, speedy Lalit surged down the right and sent a measured cross and an onrushing Camara despite a bandage on his head after a clash, headed past advancing goalkeeper Dephang Limbu. Garhwal Heroes were on the rampage and six minutes later should have wrapped up the match.
Camara's defence splitting diagonal pass set Lalit Rawat free on the right but from the edge of the six yard box he hesitated and shot wide. Midway through the second half, coach Sukhpal Bisht brought in experienced midfielders Trilok Bisht and Bhuvan Joshi to control proceedings. In the 83rd minute Camara advanced goalwards but finished feebly.
Rajiv Talwar, Executive Director DLF, Cocso India Managing Director NK Jain along with AIFF vice president and DSA president Subash Chopra gave away the prizes to the following:
A division winners Indian Nationals and runners up Punjab Heroes. B Division winners Victory FC and runners up Delhi Students. The winners got rs. 10,000 and runners up rs. 5,000 respectively.
The winners of the inaugural DSA women's league Jaguar Eves also got Rs. 10,000 and runners up Growing Stars got rs. 5,000.
The best four players of the Senior division league champions, goalkeeper Baljinder Singh (Veterans FC), defender Yogesh Prasad (Garhwal heroes), midfielder Rajesh Meetei (Goodwill FC) and striker Shashank Mamgian (Delhi united) got rs. 5,000 each. The best coach award went to Bhupendra rawat of Goodwill FC and he also got rs.
5,000.
The best disciplined team Ahbab FC received the Dharamvira Fair play trophy instituted by Mughals FC