TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Ambelim Sports Club edged past Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club 3-2 to cruise into the quarter-finals of Honey Bee Friendship Cup inter-village football tournament organized by Salcete Football Club (SFC)at Sinquetim ground, Navelim, Sunday. The teams were locked 1-1 at the lemon break.
The teams started cautiously but Sao Jose de Areal surged ahead in the ninth minute when striker Silvester Carvalho picked the ball from Agio Antao and unleashed a snap shot that went past Ambelim goalkeeper Rolf Colaco.
Stung by the setback, Ambelim intensified their attacks and equalized in the 12th minute when Clive Fernandes slotted past rival goalkeeper Pritesh Naik off a well measured pass from Richard Fernandes.
Post resumption, Ambelim came up with a better display and attacked the rival goal with sporadic raids. Their efforts bore the fruit when Joyson Fernandes headed home off a Richard Fernandes flag-kick.
Subsequently, Ambelim increased the pace and troubled the rival defence with well orchestrated raids and put the issue beyond doubt when Jade Colaco connected in style off a well-measured cross from Clive Fernandes.
At the other hand, Sao Jose de Areal scored but Mario Baretto failed to connect a goal bound cross from Silvester Carvalho.
However, Sao Jose de Areal continued in the right earnest and reduced the deficit in the 50th minute when central defender Alleulia Fernandes’ unexpected shot left Ambelim goalkeeper Rolf Colaco stunned.
Ambelim had a couple of scoring chances but their forwards frittered away sitters.
Earlier, Frank Fernandes, Navelim sarpanch and Duarte Pires, Telaulim sarpanch kicked off the tournament in the presence of Joe Dias, president of SFC; Schubert Furtado, organizing chairman of SFC and Jacinto Fernandes, treasurer.
