AMBELIM: Black Arrows defeated Euro Connexion 4-3 via the tie breaker after both the sides played out a tough 1-1 draw in the Sevens Women’s Football Festival organised by Goa Sevens and Ambelim Sports Club played at Ambelim Sports Complex, Ambelim, on Saturday.
Malvita Mascarenhas scored the first goal for the Euro Connexion while Ansiva Vaz scored the equaliser for Black Arrows in the second half.
The Black Arrows named an unchanged squad that lost to Chinchinim Angels while the Euro Connexion brought in Flavina Rodrigues in the starting seven in place of Flani Costa.
The initial minutes witnessed Euro Connexion have an upper hand in the game with some important attempts but the rival keeper cleared danger.
Macrena Dias had a solo run down into the box and looked to chip it into the post, but the Arrows keeper Ashika Gadekar tapped it away for a corner.
Euro Connexion looked strong in their forward line as Beverly Cardoso and Flavina Rodrigues provided some pace down the flanks.
Euro Connexion finally managed to take the lead in the 18th minute through Malvita Mascarenhas who scored from the spot after Black Arrows Snehal Morajkar’s handled the ball.
Post resumption, Ansiva Vaz restored parity in the match after she curled in a beautiful free kick in the top left corner.
In a quick counter attacking move by Black Arrows, Akshata Patil had a strong pace run down the left flank, but she could only manage a shot off target.
Euro Connexion goalkeeper Rima Gadekar, made a crucial save of Ansiva Vaz’s weak tap in shot. Despite several efforts from both the sides none could find the decisive goal.
In the ensuing, tie breaker Ansiva Vaz, Razia Pereira and Ashika Gadekar netted in from the spot for Black Arrows while for Euro Connexion, Lifa Gama and Flavina Rodrigues scored.
Black Arrows goalkeeper Ashika Gadekar was awarded the woman-of-the-match award for her superb goalkeeping skills.
In another match, Ambelim Queens edged past Royal Builders 2-1 to register their third straight win in the tournament.
Lifa Tavares and Karishma Shirvoikar scored for the winners while Daisy Crasto reduced the margin for the Royal Builders.
Both the sides won their previous games in this women’s festival and began on a positive note. The Ambelim Queens brought in two new players, Wendy Dias and Lifa Tavares in their starting seven, while the Royal Builders brought in Tercy Pinto.
The Ambelim Queens were the first to look at goal and their attempt paid off as they took the lead in the 5th minute of the game itself through Lifa Tavares who swiftly netted the ball into the nets.
The Builders were finding themselves struggle in moving forward as the Ambelim side came all out in search of more goals.
Karishma Shirvoikar doubled the sides lead off a neat tap in from close range amidst an onrushing keeper, 2-0.
On changing sides, Royal Builders struck early on with Daisy Crasto neatly heading the ball in reducing the margin for them.
Karishma Shirvoikar of the Queens had a chance of adding a third goal but she shot wide for the home side as the diving keeper failed to collect the ball.
On the other hand, Clency Miranda of Royal Builders had two superb chances to tap the ball in off Daisy’s pass but she failed to connect on both attempts.
The second half witnessed a tough battle with both sides aiming for more goals.
Nevilla Colaco missed a close open header as she headed it high from target off an open target.
The last minutes saw Royal Builders press hard to find the equaliser but the Queens held on to their lead to continue their impressive run in the festival.
