Rosary College despite dominating most of the match couldn’t convert their chances. Right from the word go, Rosary threatened when a good clearance by star defender Constancio Rodrigues fell to Necil Pinto but the latter lacked striking.
In the 13th minute, against the run of play, Government College surged ahead through Menino Menezes. A dangerous cross from the left flank was not dealt well by the Rosary defenders and the ball eventually fell to Menino, whose rasping effort from 18 yards out gave no chance to rival keeper Canute D’Mello.
However, three minutes later, Rosary lads equalized after a Stephen Pereira corner-kick was neatly headed in by striker Necil, 1-1.
With five minutes to go for the first half to end, Rosary College missed by a inch to go ahead. Defender Ronald Dais took a free-kick that lobbed its way past Necil Pinto who connected the ball well, but lady luck didn’t shine Rosary’s way as the ball hit the top of the crossbar from underneath and bounced out helping the Quepem defenders to make a timely clearance.
The second half started with the same fashion with Rosary College working hard and Govt College keeping them at bay and relying on counter-attacks.
Minutes into the second half, winger Austin Fernandes sent a good ball in to Stephen Pereira, whose shot was too narrow to trouble the Quepem keeper Jovial Coutinho.
With two minutes remaining, Stephen Pereira missed what was one of the best chances of the day when a ball came in to him from the left flank, wasn’t taken care by the Govt College defenders, and fell to Stephen Pereira who had to just tap the ball into the net, but the latter overcooked his touch and the ball sailed over the goal post much to the disappointment of the Rosary College camp.
In the resultant tie-breaker, Government College Quepem held their nerves to emerge victorious.
Government College Quepem now move into the semi-finals and play PCCE Verna on October 8, 10:30 am, at Rosary ground, Navelim.
