Team Herald

[email protected]

BAMBOLIM: A fine brace by Liston Colaco send Goa through to Santosh Trophy final, after defeating Kerala 2-1 in the semi-final played at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, on Thursday.

Goa scored both the goals in the first half and were lucky to survive the second half visitors’ comeback.

The hosts now have the perfect opportunity to lay their hands on the National title in front of the home fans when they take on West Bengal in the final on Sunday, who earlier defeated Mizoram 6-5 via sudden death at the same venue.

Coach Mateus Costa started with Brian Mascarenhas on the left wing with Liston Colaco and Aaren D’Silva upfront, while stand-in captain Peter Carvalho marshalled the defence along with Melvin Lobo, young Assumption Soares and Nicolau Colaco.

The Athletic Stadium witnessed thousands of fans who gathered to cheer the hosts, and they enjoyed their support as they displayed team spirit by keeping ball possession with short passes, before they broke the deadlock in the 13th minute.

Goa built up the move in their own half before Cajetan Fernandes played through to Brian Mascarenhas on the left wing. The latter outran his opponent with his pace and unselfishly set up Liston, who coolly slotted home to open the account for the hosts, despite the ball brushing the keeper’s had.

The second quarter saw the hosts play long ball and attack the rivals on counter, which they successfully managed as the young Liston and Aaren pressed the opponents with their pace.

Coach Mateus’ decision to field Brian was justified by the lad, as he tirelessly tormented the rival right flank with his pace, unpredictable runs and defence splitting passes.

Despite Jobby Justin and Asharudeen Krishnan making inroads, Goa’s defence stood tall to deny the duo of having any say at the goal.

Goa’s wonder kid Liston scored his and the team’s second in the 36th minute with individual brilliance and showed why he is considered as a future star of Goa.

The Salgaocar FC lad on receiving the ball from Leander D’Cunha, ran down the left flank and dribbled past the entire Kerala defence with his trickery before unleashing a powerful shot in the far corner of the nets taking his tournament tally to three goals.

Kerala would have been down by three goals at the break if not for the brilliant save by keeper Midhun V to deny Brian Mascarenhas’ long range shot.

Goa undeniably deserved the lead as they played together as an unit for the first time this season, that earned them the applause of the fans at the break.

Kerala showed the urgency as they began the second half on an attacking note, but Usman F’s cross were brilliantly dealt by Goa’s Nicolau Colaco to thwart the danger.

Jobby and Sree Rag VV had the chance to score for the visitors but they failed to keep their composure in front of the goal. While Jobby headed straight at the keeper, Sree Rag handled the ball with only the keeper at his sight.

At the other end, Aaren missed an open sitter for Goa as he failed to connect Brian’s cross at the goal mouth.

The visitors put up an attacking display in the second half an after pressing Goa in their territory they finally scored at the hour mark from a corner kick.

Rahul V Raj scored a simple header after Jishnu Bala headed in Shree Rag’s corner in the goal area. The lanky striker was first to react to beat the Goa defence.

Goa’s keeper Bruno Colaco came to his team’s rescue as he brilliantly punched away Jijo Joseph’s free-kick for a corner.

The final 10 minutes of the game witnessed a cagey affair as Goa defended resolutely and successfully managed to keep the slender lead.

In the first semi-final, West Bengal edged past Mizoram 6-5 via the tie breaker to enter their first final after seven years. The match finished goalless after the end of regulation time and extra time. With both teams playing a very defensive brand of football it was left to the lottery of spot kicks to decide the fate of both the teams.

Meanwhile GFA President Elvis Gomes thanked the Goan fans for turning out in large numbers to support the team. 

“The screaming fans made a huge difference to Goa and lifted the morale of our boys. I urge the fans to come out with the same enthusiasm and vigour in the final against archrivals West Bengal on Sunday,” he said.

The final will be played at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim at 6 p.m.