TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Host Cana Benaulim Sporting Association blanked Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club 2-0 to storm into the quarter-finals of 38th Cana Benaulim Cup inter-village football tournament, at St John the Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim, on Thursday.
There was no score at the lemon break. The teams adapted well to the soggy ground conditions and displayed attacking football. Playing with 10 men, Sao Jose de Areal exerted pressure on the rival goal but Cana Benaulim defenders were alert in frustrating the rival attacks.
Cana Benaulim failed to utilize the numerical advantage and late in the first half, Xamaro Rodrigues’ rasping shot was well blocked by Sao Jose de Areal goalkeeper Francis Baretto.
Post resumption, with home crowd getting behind Cana Benaulim, their efforts bore fruit in the 45th minute after striker Calver Fernandes slotted past the rival goalkeeper with a deft placement off a cross from Steven Baptista.
Spurred by the success, Cana Benaulim increased their tempo and fired couple of pots shot which either went wide or fell straight into the safe hands of keeper Francis Barreto.
Cana Benaulim’s assurance goal came late in the second half when Xamaro’s long ranger crashed into the net after receiving a through pass from defender Vincy Fernandes.
