PANJIM: Donald Rebello effected three saves in the penalty shoot-out as Chinchinim Veterans beat Siolim Veterans 3-1 to enter the final of the Brian Mendes Memorial championship, at the Dr Gustavo Monteiro Memorial ground, Candolim, on Saturday.
The fast paced match ended goalless and both, Chinchinim and Siolim sharing spoils who enjoyed proportionate ball possession play in the first half.
Siolim Veterans played a much improved match compared to their last outing with the inclusion of Elvis Pereira, former Sesa Goa. They were also equipped with David, former Dempo and Alexander, also former Sesa Goa.
Siolim made the first goal bound move wherein Trevor’s header off a flag kick missed the mark.
Minutes later, Trevor had the world at his feet with only Chinchinim’s keeper at his mercy but his effort landed into the safe pair of hands of Donald.
Chinchinim on the counter-attack saw their striker Ivan sending the ball wide off the mark as Siolim keeper Devanand out of place.
The match gained momentum and the teams battled hard for the lead with Chinchinim marshaled by International Mahesh Lotlikar, former Salgaocar Mario Soares and Jerry of Sesa Goa holding a slight edge.
The ball moved to and fro from one end to the other with moments of tension in efforts to open their account.
After the breather, the teams continued their assault but they just could not penetrate through for the lead.
In the later part of the second half Chinchinim exerted pressure and earned a corner kick which saw Chinchinim’s Jerry header acrobatically punched by Siolim’s Devanand over the cross piece and the resultant corner kick fizzled out. Chinchinim continued the pressure but Herodiano Colaco stood his ground in the defence and saved the face of Siolim.
Siolim’s last hopes of breaking the deadlock came in a counter-attack when Anthony capitalizing on a cross from Vincent sent a volley which was flipped over in the nick of time by Donald under Chinchinim’s cage.
With the game goalless the tie-breaker was resorted to decide finalists.
Siolim found the nets through Bobin, while Jaffert, David and Trevor’s kick was saved by Chinchinim’s goalkeeper Donald while for Chinchinim, Goa’s old war horses Mahesh Lotlikar, Jerry Fernandes and Mario Soares scored while Yuri and Agostinho’s strikes were saved by the Siolim goalkeeper.
The Man-of the-Match went to Herodiano Colaco of Chinchinim. The final has been scheduled for March 28.
