MERCES: Bardez Veterans fought hard for a 4-2 tie-breaker against Calangute Veterans to enter the semi-finals of the Fifth Pogo Boys 50+ Veterans Cup at the Merces Church Ground, on Thursday.
Tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time, Bardez Veterans held their nerve to come out better shooters in the deciding shoot-out.
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Led by former India international Bruno Coutinho, Calangute Veterans took the lead in the very second minute when Augustine Rodrigues tapped in a long throw-in from Coutinho.
However, Bardez Veterans held on and drew level when Raymond Alvares headed in a throw-in from Reggie Rodrigues to march into the half-time break at 1-1.
In the second half, Francis Colaco once again put the Calangute Veterans in the clear in the 40th minute. But as the match headed towards the end, Alexander Fernandes found a gap to squeeze in an equalizer and send the match into a deciding shoot-out that was comfortably won by Bardez Veterans 4-2.
Bardez Veterans will now await the winners of the second quarter-finals between Morjim Veterans and SAI Veterans that is scheduled for August 13.
