Panjim Veterans blank Varca
TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: Panjim Vexterans blanked Varca Veterans 2-0 to cruise into the quarter-finals of all-Goa Navelim Veterans football tournament organized by Navelim Veterans at Rosary ground, Navelim, Sunday. Panjim Veterans led 1-0 at half time.
Panjim Veterans were well served by former I-League players and dominated the game right from the word go and never allowed their opponents to create any chances.
Former Dempo central defender Stanley Colaco broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when he picked up the ball from his own half and unleashed a rasping shot which beat the rival goalkeeper hands down.
Spurred by the early success, Panjim Veterans tormented the rival defence with well orchestrated raids. However, their forwards blew away easy chances from close range.
Varca Veterans made a couple of forays into the rival territory but the rival defenders thwarted their attempts with neat tackles.
After the resumption, Varca looked listless and Panjim Veterans took advantage of the situation and swarmed all over the rival penalty box but Varca goalkeeper Keneth Afonso denied them with some superlative saves.
Varca Veterans Franky Mascarenhas worked overtime but his efforts went in vain and in the 80th minute Francis Furtado doubled the lead with a snap shot.
Varca tried their best to come back into the game but rival defender Stanley Colaco was rock solid at the back and never allowed the rival attackers to manoeuvre inside the Panjim territory.
Varca goalkeeper Kenneth Afonso was adjudged the man-of-the-match.
