Team Herald
BENAULIM: Margao SC squeez past Rossman Cruz Nagoa SC 6-5 in the tie breaker to enter the quarter finals of the 9th Cana Benaulim Panchayat Cup organised by Young Strikers Club Benaulim and played at St John the Baptist Ground, Dando-Benaulim on Tuesday.
Margao was the better team in the first session and kept their rivals on the back foot. Nagoa’s defence was under pressure and Margao deservingly went ahead in the 12th minute when striker Minguel Barreto latched on to a through pass by winger back John Colaco and smashed the ball past on rushing rival goalkeeper Frankey Abranches.
Margao doubled the advantage when Neil Pinto sent a cross in the area where winger Melvin Furtado connected superbly to put the ball into the back of the nets.
Nagoa were a transformed side after the breather but substitute striker Cristo D’Mello and Savio Fernandes wasted sitters however Savio made amends by converting a free-kick from the edge of the box to reduce the margin.
Margao conceded the equaliser 10 minutes before the close when Nagoa’s hardworking striker Beneton Barreto dribbled past rival defenders Danny Dias and Rockey Borges to slam the ball past Terence Barbosa in Margao goal.
In the tie-breaker Jesmon, Danny, Clencio, and Valito were successful for Margao while Savio, Marinao and Noel D’Silva netted for Nagoa.
