Ex-India football player Marto Gracias passes away

Former India football player Marto Gracias died here yesterday following a cardiac arrest, according to informed sources.
Gracias, 75, is survived by his wife Theresa and daughter Evelyn.
The former striker, who had also captained Maharashtra in the senior nationals and Tata Sports Club in major tournaments, had undergone a bypass surgery a couple of years ago.
He suffered a heart attack at his residence last evening and was rushed to a nearby hospital, but breathed his last on admission, the sources said.
Gracias had represented the country in a couple of international tournaments and his notable feat was a hat-trick in India's 4-0 win against Hong Kong in a league match of the 1967 Merdeka Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Born in Goa, he also played for Salgaocar SC for a couple of seasons before joining the Tata SC here in 1967 and representing the top club till he hung up his boots in 1978-79.

During his stint with Tata SC, Gracias led the team to triumphs in major tournaments, including the Rovers Cup and Bandodkar Trophy, and in local competitions - Harwood League and Nadkarni Cup.
He captained Maharashtra in the Santosh Trophy nationals, in which he had also represented Goa.
His funeral mass will take place tomorrow evening.