SANGOLDA: Vasco Veterans put up a stiff fight before succumbing to Bardez Veterans 7-8 in sudden death to bow out of the Monte de Guirim Platinum Jubilee Veterans Football Tournament, played at Sangolda Panchayat ground, on Saturday.
In a match of swinging fortunes, Vasco drew first blood when Santan Colaco Jr. capitalised on Bardez keeper Jude Fernandes’ lapse to scoot past him and shoot into an open net. Bardez retaliated with a flurry of attacks and did not take time to restore parity. After Pascoal Perieira had missed a chance, Augustine Rodrigues found the nets with stinging right footer from the top of the box which gave no chance to John Fernandes in the Vasco goal.
Crossing over tied 1-1 both teams matched each other attack for attack. Midway into the half, Bardez were awarded a penalty after Vasco defender Lance Fernandes was pulled up for dangerous play inside the penalty area. Pascoal Pereira made no mistake to give his side a 2-1 lead.
The Bardez lead however did not last long, as a well constructed move from Vasco involving Santan Furtado, Santan Colaco and Ramesh Palkar left the entire Bardez defence standing and there was nothing Keeper Jude could do to prevent Palkar’s angular well timed grounder from lodging into the corner of the nets to make it 2-2.
The penalty shoot-out also was filled with thrills with the advantage swinging from team to team, thus giving equal chances for both teams to break into the finals. Seven rounds of kicks ended 5-5 (Palkar, Lance, Rosario Carvalho, Santan Colaco Sr, and Nelson Landez for Vasco and Alwyn, Lino , Alexander , Bruno and Caitan Cardoz for Bardez)
In the eighth sudden death round, Vasco keeper John Fernandes stepped up and shot wide while his counterpart Jude Fernandes made no mistake to give his team an overall 8-7 win and place in the finals.
