TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Hosts Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club prevailed over Navelim Villagers Union 6-3 via the tie-breaker to storm into the final of 19th Sao Jose de Areal Villagers Cup inter-village football tournament organized by Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club at Padribhat ground, Sao Jose de Areal, Thursday. Areal led 2-1 at half time.
Areal held the upper hand in the opening session and broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when striker Bersel Viegas beat his markers and bulged the net.
Stunned by the deficit, Navelim regrouped quickly and took the fight to the rival camp. They restored parity when Allister Gomes punished the rival goalkeeper with a deft placement in the 16th minute.
Stunned by the equalizer, Areal made several forays into the rival territory and took the lead in the 28th minute striker Bersel slotted past the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot.
Crossing over, Areal continue to enjoy the lion’s share of exchanges with their forwards troubling the rival defence with well orchestrated raids. Areal could have made it 3-1 but their forwards failed to beat the rival goalkeeper from an ideal position.
With time running out, Navelim Villagers went all-out and neutralized the deficit when Claude Costa beat the rival goalkeeper with a rasping shot.
In the tie-breaker, Agio Antao, Fredic Endro, Bersel Viegas and Allister Moura were on target for Areal while only Crisley Costa converted for Navelim.
Areal will now meet Curtorim Gymkahna in the final on May 19.
