Team Herald
PANJIM: Candolim Sports Club edged over Navelim Villagers Union 7-6 via the tie- breaker after both teams remained goalless in the regulated time in the 12th London Trophy, inter-village football tournament, organised by Goa Velha Sports Club played at Goa Velha ground, on Sunday
The sides got off to an even start as both teams resorted to an attacking game. Janifar Clemence sent in a splitting pass to Daphen Rodrigues but the latter shot slow which was swiftly collected by the Navelim keeper Shilton Fernandes at goal.
For the Navelim team, Jaison Martins dribbed past a couple of Candolim defenders and passed the ball down to Presley Gomes, whose shot went inches high from the target.
The Candolim side kept pressing ahead in search of the opening goal but a resolute Covan Lawrence at the Navelim back denied them their chances as both teams headed into half goalless.
On changing sides, Candolim side created the first attempt as Devendra Pednekar received a pass from Aniket Naik and the former ran into the Navelim danger area but an alert Navelim keeper came out to clear the attempt.
The beach side boys were determined to take the lead and they came close to scoring yet again as Akash Banalvalikar headed the ball straight into the Navelim custodian’s arms off Nehal Naik’s corner. Nehal was instrumental in the next attempt of the Candolim side as he ran down the right flank but his sparkling shot went over the cross bar.
Both sides kept pushing forward but the final whistle was drawn as the game went into penalties. In the tie breaker, Bhavesh Chandolkar, Nehal Naik, Ryan Pereira, Akash Banalvalikar, Antonio Kumar and Nikhil Naik scored for the Candolim side while Aulon Gomes, Suraj Naik, Jaison Martins, Mobin Gomes, Joevin Costa an Ronaldo Pereira converted for the Navelim side.
