Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Assonora United FC had to wait for the penalty shoot before they emerged victorious over Sao Jose de Areal by 5-3 margin to enter the final of 24th Vagator Soccer 2025 played at Vagator ground, on Sunday.
In a tense encounter the match ended goalless in the regulation time.
The match kicked off with high intensity and in the 5th minute, Sao Jose de Areal’s Ashnoy tested the Assonora United FC goalkeeper, who made a fine save to deny the early attempt.
Both teams fought hard for control in the midfield, making it a closely contested affair. In the 30th minute, Assonora United FC Kunal Salgaonkar broke through the defence but shot straight into the rival goalkeeper’s hands to end the first half tied goalless.
In the second half, Satyam Gawas also found himself in a promising position in the 39th minute but failed to convert. Assonora United FC’s goalkeeper was called into action again in the 49th minute, pulling off a brilliant double save to keep Sao Jose de Areal at bay. As the tension increased, a brief scuffle broke out in the 50th minute between players from both sides, underlining the stakes of the semi-final clash.
As the match progressed, Assonora United FC’s goalkeeper again came to his team’s rescue in the 58th minute with another crucial save.
In the penalty shoot-out, Assonora United FC players displayed composure under pressure, converting all five of their attempts, through Kunal, Satyam, Projot, Prajat Naik and Gauresh. Whereas Sao Jose de Areal scored through Bersal, Tyson and Myron whereas Ashnoy missed his spot kick.