Ambelim extend futsal reign

They stamp their authority against Ponda Footballers with a 9-1 win in final

Ambelim: As the bright lights illuminated the Indoor Stadium at Navelim and the wooden floor creaked with every step, one thing was clear—Ambelim SC remained defiant, defending their crown to claim a second consecutive GFA Futsal League title.

Once, they were a village team famed for football; now, they carve their legacy on the futsal court. Ambelim SC—relentless, unstoppable, ruthless—swept past Ponda Footballers with a 9-1 win, stamping their authority on the grand stage once more as they secure a place at the nationals.

“This is the third year we’ve reached the finals of the GFA Futsal League, and for the second consecutive year, we are the winners. So, once again, we will be representing Goa at the Nationals,” said Ambelim’s president, Benjamin Silva.

A name etched in the hearts of every Ambelim fan—Fredsan Marshall, the tormentor, striking twice to light up the night. Crosley Luis, Ronaldo Pereira, Velon Rebello, and Lyndon Cardoso kept the accelerator firmly down, each adding their mark to an unforgiving scoreline.

And then, from the very soil of Ambelim, hometown heroes Michael Silva and Ozen Silva stood tall—Michael finding the net, Ozen guarding it with defiance before adding his own name to the scoresheet.

Ponda’s misery deepened as Relino Carvalho’s own goal compounded their woes, though Kiefer Dias snatched a late consolation.

 “It feels incredible to see Ambelim SC reaching this level. Back in our time, we played in poor conditions, in paddy fields, with no proper infrastructure. But today, we have access to good grounds, and playing futsal at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium in Navelim is a huge step forward,” Silva reflected.

“Football is in our blood. Back in the day, we didn’t have practice sessions or professional coaches. Even during my playing years, there were very few coaches. But now, former players are stepping up to coach the next generation. They may not be full-time coaches, but they are passing on their knowledge to the youngsters,” he said.

“I also want to urge all parents to encourage their children to take up sports—not just football, but any sport. Fitness is essential. If you have good health, you have everything,” Silva emphasized. Ambelim SC’s journey at the Nationals continues, with Silva hopeful of improving on last year’s semi-final finish.

“Last year, we played really well but lost in the semi-finals by a narrow margin. Still, it was a proud moment for Ambelim. This is our village team, and I am extremely proud to see them represent us at the national level. The support from our community has been incredible,” he said.

“I urge all our supporters to come in large numbers for the matches and cheer for the team,” Silva concluded.