Benaulim Young Strikers up
fraxier inter village football
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MARGAO, AUG 3
Hosts Young Strikers, Benaulim prevailed over Verna Sports Club 5-3 via the tie-breaker to storm into the semi-finals of 25th Fraxier inter-village football tournament organised by Young Strikers, Benaulim at St John Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim on Tuesday. Young Strikers were trailing 0-1at the breather.
Verna were more methodical in their approach work and played according to their plan, showing good understanding.
Verna went into the lead in the opening session when Eusebio Fernandes punished the Benaulim goalkeeper with an adroit placement after he picked up a through pass from John Costa.
Stung by the early setback, Young Strikers tried their best to neutralise the lead but Steven Fernandes’ stiff grounder was blocked by Verna goalkeeper Camilo Baretto.
Enjoying a slender lead, Verna relaxed after change of ends. This allowed the Young strikers the freedom to launch raids at the Verna goal and their hard work was rewarded eight minutes before long whistle when Steven Fernandes was brought down by Verna defender Molly Fernandes inside the penalty area. The referee awarded the penalty and Xamaro Rodrigues made no mistake with the resultant spot kick to send the Verna goalkeeper Camilo Baretto on the wrong way.
Young Strikers had an opportunity to wrap up the match in normal time but striker Rody Fernandes messed up with only the rival goalkeeper at his mercy as he shot wide from hand-shaking distance.
In the tie-breaker, Santan Fernandes, Xamaro Rodrigues, Alfred Fernandes, Graysans Popu Fernandes were on target for Young Strikers while Francisco Fernandes and Rexon Fernandes converted for Verna.
