BENUALIM: Salgaocar Veterans defeated Ponda Veterans 4-2 via the tie-breaker to enter the semi-finals of the 18th V M Salgaocar Memorial Veterans Soccer tournament organised by Prime Sports Club, at St.John the Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim, on Sunday.
Ponda were the better side in the first half but Salgaocar Veterans goalkeeper Bharat Morje managed to keep the slate clean. Ponda almost took the lead in the 18th minute when Naresh Naik fired a right footer which got slight touch of Bharat Morje’s hand and deflected off the cross-piece and again fell into Morje’s hand. Seven minutes later, Bharat Morje turned around a Vishant Pednekar free-kick for an abortive corner.
After resumption, Salgaocar put up an improved display but striker Prem Dias wasted an open chance when Ponda defender Nelson Landez and goalkeeper Rupesh Kamat created a misunderstanding for an aerial ball and both collided.
Anthony Pereira made two scoring opportunities for Salgaocar but Andrew Teodosio and Prem Dias were wasteful. I
n the ensuing tie-breaker, Salgaocar Veterans successfully converted through Anthony Pereira, Xavier Colaco, Alfred Fernandes and Prem Dias while Vishant Pednekar and Shaikh Niazi scored for Ponda Veterans.
