MAPUSA: Chapora Yuvak Sangh Sports Club sailed into the final of the prestigious 18th Edition Goa Police Football Cup organized by Goa Police Sports cell with a hard fought 2-1 win over Dempo Juniors played at Duler stadium, here, on Tuesday.
Both the teams made it to the semis after their stunning wins in the quarters. Chapora YS had got the better of Churchill Brothers SC while Dempo Juniors surprised their seniors Dempo SC.
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The large vociferous home supporters from Chapora jumped into ecstasy as their team scored the fastest goal of the ongoing Goa Police Cup in the 48th second where their star striker Rohit Totad collected a through pass from medio Amar Kinlekar and placed the ball into the far corner of the goal to give the lead.
After some minutes of midfield tussle once again Amar Kinlekar sent in a long floater to overlapping Sachidanand Satelkar who having controlled the ball darted inside the 18-yard box but saw his strike being blocked for a corner by Dempo’s stopper back Richon Oliveira.
Dempo Juniors did try to make some inroads from the flanks but the stubborn last line of Chapora defense failed to bulge under pressure, with keeper Soma Korgaonkar being not tested once in the first session.
Nothing much transcribed in the first twenty minutes on crossing ends. The match came into life back only in the 65th minute when Chapora’s Pratik Dargalkar hoodwinked left back Richon Oliveira and moved dangerously inside the penalty box only to find stopper back Rahul Rodrigues clear the ball for a corner. From the resultant corner Rohit Totad failed to score after Dempo’s keeper Myrick Hilario had spilled the ball.
With time running on, Dempo Juniors came with series of corners but they failed to score. A strike from close by Sheldon Fernandes was blocked by the defender on the way to the goal.
Two more chances were squandered by Dempo Juniors with Ashon Viegas tapping the ball into the waiting hands of the keeper while in the very next minute Anish Gadkar shot skywards from hand shaking distance.
However finally in the 82nd minute Dempo Juniors tasted success as Rahul Rodrigues scored from a goal mouth melee off a corner 1-1.
It did not take long for Chapora colts to once again take the lead where substitute Marvoti Harizon drilled the ball into the goal off a corner after Rohit header had come off the post to make it 2-1.
In the closing stages keeper Soma Korgaonkar brought a brilliant save from Sairon Albuquerque strike while at the other end Dempo keeper paired Rohit’s header for a corner.
Chapora’s Rohit Tatod received the man of the match award from Peter Gomes.
Chapora YS will take on Sesa FA in the final on September 8, at 4 pm.
