Super 30 make their mark, again
PANAJI: Super 30, mentored by former international footballer, Ricardo Cardozo, and supported by the Candolim village panchayat, has once again made their mark at the All-India Youth Football Tournament in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
Super Goa teams triumphed in the Under-14 and Under-12 categories, and was the runner-up in the Under-16 final. A total of 30 teams took part in the tournament across all age groups.
In the U-12 final, Super 30 ‘B’ edged past SSFA Rangers 2-1 with goals from Avnish Rathod and Keyan Koya.
For the third place in U-12, Super 30 ‘A’ trounced SSFA 3-0 with goals from Saksham Kudnekar, Palash Naik and Aaryan Naik.
In the U-14 final, Super 30 were locked goalless against LFA in normal time but had the last laugh in the tiebreaker 4-2 with goals from Jonas Fernandes, Alfie Thorn, Joel Passoni and Noaman Shah.
In the U-16 summit clash, Super 30 went down fighting 0-2 to Stepover.
This victory was bolstered by the support of parents who travelled in significant numbers to Maharashtra, providing an invaluable morale boost to the young athletes. Family support, coupled with the professional guidance of coaches Dylan Marcos and Sectus, propelled Super 30 to the forefront of youth football in India.
In the Under-12 category, Avnish Rathod was recognized as the Best Emerging Player, showcasing outstanding talent and potential. In the Under-14 category, Alfie Thorn clinched the title of Top Scorer, demonstrating remarkable scoring prowess.
For the Under-16 team, Arjun Blower was awarded Best Goalkeeper, marking his exceptional skills in the goal.
The Founder of Super30 Soccer Schools, Ricardo Cardozo, said that the academy had formed three squads and a team comprising of 70-odd players travelled to Ratnagiri for the recently concluded 3-day tournament.
“With the support of our players, management and coaches, we put up a very good performance and saw positive results,” said Ricardo Cardozo, the former goalkeeper who represented Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers FC in the I-League.
These individual honors add to the team’s collective achievements, highlighting the depth of talent within Super 30. The team’s success was also rewarded financially, with the Under-14 team winning ₹41,000 and the Under-12 and Under-16 teams each receiving ₹25,000, along with prestigious trophies.
The Candolim village panchayat’s involvement and the substantial parental support have been instrumental in fostering a nurturing environment for these young athletes. Super 30’s accomplishments at the tournament, against teams like SSFA, LFA Pune, and Stepover Football Academy, are a testament to the potential of youth football in India and the impact of community and family support in sports.