Team Herald
BENAULIM: St Anthony SC, Assolda blanked Navelim SC 2-0 to storm into the final of 40th Cana-Benaulim Panchayat Cup, at St John Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim, on Monday.
Sunny Fernandes’ brace was the highlight of today’s match which opened the doors for St Anthony SC to move in the final. Both the teams started with a positive note with different attacking moves in each one’s citadel. Both the clubs from Salcete displayed their tactics in front of large spectators.
St Anthony SC opened the scoring in the 18th minute through Sunny’s arrow bond shot which crushed into the net of Navelim SC off a beautiful pass from Vicky Fernandes making it, 1-0.
Clinton Niasso had a chance to score for Navelim SC in the 19th minute after dribbling a couple of defenders of St Anthony SC from inside the rival box but failed to trigger the shot which was divingly saved by the rival goalkeeper.
St Anthony SC had another chance in the 19th minute through Vicky’s grounder but failed to pierce through the net.
Sunny Colaco of Navelim SC also had a golden opportunity when with his left footer released a venous strike but to his dismay the rival post denied it in the 21st minute.
Later, Clinton of Navelim SC shot was saved by rival goalkeeper in the dying minutes of the first half.
After the lemon break, both teams started on the forefront moves. Clinton squandered an opportunity for Navelim SC in the 46th minute while Vicky’s shot over the cross piece of Navelim SC in the 49th minute.
It was Sunny who doubled the lead with his left footer placing the ball into Navelim SC net to make it 2-0 for St Anthony SC in the 67th minute off a pass from Succoro Fernandes.
