TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Ponda Veterans scored a controversial solitary goal victory over defending champions Amanda Sporting Veterans, Panjim to book the finals berth in 10th all-Goa Flame of Unity Veterans football tournament organized by Flame of Unity Sports and Cultural Club, Per Seraulim-Colva, at Mabai ground, Per Seraulim, Colva.
At half time there was no score.
In an exciting match, Amanda Sporting would have been up 1-0 in the 10th minute but Rosario Carvalho, who was put through by John Dias, missed a golden opportunity when his powerful shot from close range just ballooned over the cross bar.
Ponda played good possession football but ran out of idea once in the danger zone and Amanda defenders Raymond D’Souza, Augusto Pereira and Digamber Gomes did not give any chance for Ponda to strike.
In the second half, Amanda Sporting came with renewed vigour and Frankie Mascarenhas came in for Benjamin Barretto at the start and made lot of difference by keeping the Ponda defence under pressure.
But to the dismay of Amanda Sporting, Ponda went up 1-0 through a controversial goal when Amanda defenders laid a offside trap for Ponda striker Martino Pereira, who was two yards inside the last defender Raymond D’Souza, before the ball was passed by Santan Furtado, the linesman failed to pull up the flag for offside and the referee allowed the goal.
Amanda Sporting took the field without complaining but brought the incident to the notice of Referee Merwyn, who could have overruled the lineman.
Later, Amanda went all out for an equalizer which they almost succeeded had it not been for Ponda goalkeeper Anand, who made brilliant saves thrice.
Now Ponda Veterans will meet the winners of semi-final between Jose Cookies, Camurlim and Navelim Veterans. The finals will be played on October 2.
