Team Herald
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SANTA CRUZ: Cuncolim Educational Society’s College of Arts and Commerce (CES), Cuncolim; Rosary College, Navelim; MES Vasant Joshi College of Arts and Commerce, Vasco, and Sridora Caculo College of Management, Mapusa, booked the semi-finals berth in the Servo Cup – 3rd All-Goa Inter-Collegiate Football Tournament organised by the Herald Group in association with Goa University and supported by Walbrue and Magsons, at the government football ground, Santa Cruz, on Sunday.
The four gripping encounters showcased attacking flair, tactical discipline and nerve-shredding drama from start to finish.
In the opening quarter-final, Cuncolim Educational Society’s College of Arts and Commerce (CES), Cuncolim, outplayed Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sanquelim, 2-0.
The match played in the presence of Guest of Honour Rajesh Moraskar, was defined by relentless attacking pressure, particularly from Cuncolim Educational Society’s College of Arts and Commerce.
From the start, CES College adopted an aggressive approach, pushing numbers forward, pressing high up the field and launching wave after wave of attacks. Their quick transitions, intelligent movement and overlapping runs down the flanks repeatedly stretched the Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce defence.
Despite dominating possession and creating multiple scoring opportunities, CES College went into the break goalless, as finishing let them down in the opening half.
CES College returned after halftime with even greater intent, and their sustained pressure finally paid off in the 38th minute when Atif Sheikh showcased his individual brilliance with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, breaking the deadlock. The goal further fuelled CES College’s attacking momentum, and substitute Saish Gawas added the second in the 48th minute.
The second quarter-final of the day witnessed by Guest of Honour Tony Dias, saw Rosary College, Navelim, produce a composed and tactically disciplined performance to defeat Don Bosco College, Panjim, 2-0.
Rosary College struck at a crucial moment just before the interval, with Ashnoy Gomes finding the net in added time of the first half after a well-weighted pass from Dylan.
The second half saw Rosary College take firm control of proceedings and the match was effectively put beyond reach in the 55th minute when Flann Crasto unleashed a magnificent long-range strike that stood out as one of the finest goals of the quarter-final stage.
The third quarter-final in the afternoon witnessed the most dominant display of the day, as MES Vasant Joshi College of Arts and Commerce, Vasco, overpowered GMC College, Bambolim, with a comprehensive 4-0 win.
MES College set the tempo early, pressing aggressively and exploiting defensive gaps. Shravan opened the scoring in the 16th minute following a precise assist from Rajat, before Pradeep took complete control of the contest, registering the first hat-trick of the Servo Cup with goals in the 19th, 22nd and 29th minutes, highlighting MES College’s attacking depth and clinical finishing.
The final quarter-final of a dramatic Sunday evening provided a fitting crescendo. Sridora Caculo College of Management, Mapusa, edged past Fr Agnel College of Arts and Commerce in a pulsating contest that was ultimately decided by a sudden-death penalty shoot-out, with Sridora Caculo emerging victorious 7-6 after the match ended 2–2 at full time.
Rohan gave Sridora Caculo an early lead in the 10th minute with a sublime free-kick, while Joven responded with a brilliant solo effort to level the scores. Laximan Rao once again put the Mapusa-based College ahead, only for Lloyd to equalise and force the contest into penalties.
With both sides locked even after regulation time and the initial set of spot-kicks, the shoot-out progressed into sudden death, testing composure under immense pressure.
Sridora Caculo held their nerve to clinch the victory, a result that carried added significance as it served as redemption against Fr Agnel College, following their earlier penalty shoot-out defeat to Fr Agnel in the inter-collegiate tournament. The intensity of the encounter was reflected in disciplinary action with Athar and Soham of Sridora Caculo being cautioned for rough play.
With all four quarter-finals successfully concluded, the Servo Cup now advances into the much-anticipated semi-final stage scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Cuncolim Educational Society’s College of Arts and Commerce will now face MES Vasant Joshi College of Arts and Commerce, while Rosary College take on Sridora Caculo College of Management in the two clashes that promise to elevate the competition further as teams edge closer to the coveted title.
As the tournament enters its decisive phase, the Servo Cup continues to reaffirm its stature as one of Goa’s premier inter-collegiate football tournaments, blending youthful energy, competitive spirit and unforgettable sporting moments on a platform that celebrates the very best of campus football in the State.
