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I attribute this success first for God and Jesus, because they are the inspiration of my life - Cristiano Junior in an interview (April 2004). |
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NT Sports Reporter
Panaji, Dec 5, 2004: Goan soccer fans reacted with shock and disbelief at the tragic death of Dempo�s new acquisition Cristiano Junior of Brazil who breathed his last, moments after he scored his team�s second goal against Mohun Bagan of Kolkata in the finals of the Federation Cup football championship in Bangalore today. He was 25 and leaves behind his wife Juliana who is presently in Vasco.
Cristiano Jr died with his boots on, scoring both the goals that enabled Dempo record a 2-0 victory and inscribe their name for the first time on the coveted trophy, the symbol of supremacy at the national club level. Indeed it is a pity, that the author of both the goals could not live to see his team lifting the trophy. Even as the team received the trophy and the players posed for a photograph, there was a tinge of sadness with many of them sobbing. And, when the worst was confirmed, there was gloom everywhere.
The Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar expressing shock at the death of the footballer said it was a tragic incident and that it was a pity that it should have happened when the play was on.
Mr Srinivas V Dempo, chairman of Dempo Group of Companies and President of Dempo Sports Club was at a loss for words, for he was completely grief-striken at the passing away of the architect of victory. �He is a real hero, for he gave his precious life for the game. However, it is not characterised with happiness for me, as the untimely death is distressing. It is very difficult to express the feelings at this moment as it is a terrible happening. We will do everything for the family, we will provide full support... anything, no matter what needs to be done, after all, he is the one who gave us the trophy which eluded us all this time. He made the ultimate sacrifice. His untimely, shocking death is a real loss to Goa and Goans,� Mr Dempo said.
Mr Alberto Colaco, AIFF secretary, speaking from Bangalore said: �It�s most tragic. Dempos slogged all these years, came up with their best today and captured what eluded them. But in their moment of greatest joy, the biggest-ever tragedy struck, with the hero of the final breathing his last in most unfortunate circumstances. This is the worst and saddest thing to have happened on the playfield,� he added.
The GFA president, Mr Shivanand Salgaocar, Mr Churchill Alemao, MP and president of Churchill Bros expressed shock over the tragic demise of Cristiano Junior adding that it was a very sad day for Goans.
Mr Savio Messias, GFA secretary, whilst condoling the premature death of the explosive striker who was the highest scorer in the last NFL with 15 goals and 6 goals in the AFC championships when with East Bengal last year, said it is a big loss for Goan football in general and Dempos in special, for he was all set to show his prowess like he did last year when he helped East Belgal win the NFL title. �In Indian football, this is the worst-ever tragedy. It is just unimaginable that at one moment you score, you go on to become a hero and in this case a legend and at the very next you drop dead. It�s cruel and one needs to find out the exact cause of his death and also if there were adequate medical facilities including an oxygen cylinder in the ambulance unit on the ground.�
Mr Noel Lima Leitao of Vasco Club said it was pity that Cristiano Jr had to sacrifice his life to deliver the Federation Cup to his team decrying the role of Mohun Bagan goalkeeper in hitting against the striker, which he said was surprisingly overlooked by the referee.
The GFA executive committee members, Mr Kishor Narvekar, Mr Peter Vales, Mr Nuno Colaco, Mr Victor Gonsalves, Mr Michael Fernandes, Mr Irineu Gonsalves, Mr Arnaldo Costa, lawyer Sapeco were among those who expressed their condolences adding that the Bagan goalkeeper deserved a red card for the violent conduct in openly fisting the striker much after the Dempo player had released the ball into the open goal. �The goalkeeper instead of going for the ball, went for the striker who is in a position to strike with an open goal, and this calls for a red card.�
Cristiano Jr began playing football at the age of six and represented eight Brazilian clubs with Vasco da Gama being his favourite. He had the distiction of having played alongside Brazilian stars Romario and Juninho.
It may be recalled that two footballers, a Romanian and a Cameroonian died on the field this year.
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Dempo SC emerge champion club of India
BANGALORE: Dempo Sports Club battered eleven times champion Mohun Bagan 2-0 here today to win the 26th Federation Cup football championship and emerge the champion club of India.
Scoring once in each half through its mercurial Brazilian striker Cristiano Delima Junior, Dempo finally won the elusive title after three appearances in the final.
Dempo also thus avenged the defeat at the hands of Bagan with a similar verdict in Chennai in 2001.
Dempo stood out as the champion in the proceedings, in which Bagan played second fiddle despite having a few first half initiatives which they threw away.
Aggression was the key word for the Goans, who right from the start attacked the rival citadel.
Despite the dominance of Dempo, the Bagan strikers managed a few forays into the rival citadel and in the 15th minute, captain Sunil Chettri wasted a good chance by kicking wide. Similarly, Amit Das saw his misjudged header go awry.
Three minutes before the breather, Dempo went one up in a brilliant move by Cristiano, who close from the citadel pushed into the nets a clear cross from Riston Rodrigues. Changing ends saw the Kolkata giants throwing up the initiative and attempting to defend the goalmouth instead of mounting counter attacks.
There was some rough play leading to Bagan defender Noel Anthony Wilson being shown the red card by referee S M Balu (Karnataka). In the first instance, he obstructed Jose Colaco and later infringed upon Satishkumar. Noel, who got two yellow cards for his foul, was seen arguing with the referee, who later flashed the red card and sent him out.
In the 78th minute, encashing on a pass from Jose Colaco, Cristiano barged in with only the custodian to beat. After he completed the kick that landed in, Subrata Paul, the Bagan keeper, who moved swiftly hit Cristiano in the chest and the Goan immediately fell down unconscious. Dempo manager Mauricio Afonso said his team played better and should have won by a higher margin. �We clearly missed three goals,� he added.
(Both news items, courtesy: The Navhind Times)
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