Camara lifts Garhwal Heroes to title

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A Garhwal Heroes player tries to go past a Goodwill FC defender in the final of the DLF-ONGC, DSA senior division league champio

In a keenly-contested final, IOC Garhwal Heroes ousted newcomers VVIP Goodwill FC 1-0 to clinch the 2012-13 DLF-ONGC, DSA senior division league championship title in the capital.

Nigerian striker Joseph Camara — in his first season with Garhwal Heroes — scored the match-winner in the 47th minute, heading in a measured cross from the right by experienced midfielder Lalit Rawat.
This is Garhwal Heroes’ second DSA league title. They had last won the DSA soccer league title way back in 1986, when they had beaten Youngsters FC also by 1-0 in the final.
Coached by former Delhi state and Border Security Force midfielder Sukhpal Singh Bisht, Garhwal Heroes were the dominant side on the day 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 Camara.
Newly-promoted Goodwill FC gave a spirited display in the first half. Their defence was ably marshalled 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.
Garhwal Heroes bagged the DLF-ONGC DSA excellence prize along with cash prize of `1,50,000.
Runners up Goodwill FC took home `75,000 and a trophy. Both losing semi-finalists, G-Pride Veteran FC and ISS Delhi United got `40,000 each.
‘A’ and ‘B’ divisions winners Indian Nationals and Victory FC received `10,000 each, while second placed finishers Punjab Heroes and Delhi Students got `5,000 each.
The winners of the inaugural DSA women’s league Jaguar Eves also became richer by `10,000 and runners up Growing Stars had `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) received `5,000 each.
The best coach award went to Bhupendra Rawat (Goodwill FC) who got `5,000, while Ahbab FC team received the Dharamvira Fair play trophy.