Team Herald

BENAULIM: Sao Jose de Areal SC registered a convincing 3-1 victory over St Anthony’s Club Colva to enter the semi-finals of the 9th Cana Benaulim Panchayat Cup organised by Young Strikers Club Benaulim played at St John the Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim.

Colva took full advantage of the set piece with lanky defender Keith Rodrigues curling in a right footer past the outstretched hand of rival goalkeeper Joseph Monteiro in the eight minute.

Just on the quarter hour mark areal were on level terms as midfielder Bersal Viegas’ 25 yards shot was blocked by the diving Colva goalkeeper Joemiro Fernandes who however lost his footing in the process and before he could collect the ball again the speedy areal wing back Samuel Costa who went up for that attack slammed the loose ball into the nylons. 

Areal could have got the second a minute before the lemon break but David Colaco shot touch hands of rival goalkeeper Joemiro and went out for an abortive corner.

 Areal were pressing hard and finally managed to go ahead and it was the Colva defenders Maxon and Keith were at fault as they stayed in line to put up a offside trap for rival strikers  but Areal midfielders Raymond Fernandes made an intelligent run to latch on to a fine through pass by Barsal Viegas to slot the ball past on rushing Colva goalkeeper Joemiro.

Areal made the issue safe five minutes before the close with skipper Alvito Moura netting the third.