RAIA: Cuncolim Union edge out CRC Chinchinim in a thrilling penalty shootout 6-5 to reach the finals of 1st VJT Cup football at Chinchinim ground, Thursday. The teams were locked 1-1 at full time.
The first half was a balanced affair, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert them. The deadlock was broken in a spectacular fashion by Bradley Carvalho of Cuncolim Union, who unleashed a stunning long-range shot from near the halfway line that flew past the CRC Chinchinim goalkeeper and into the net.
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The goal gave Cuncolim Union a boost of confidence, and they tried to increase their lead, but CRC Chinchinim held on. The equalizer came in the 28th minute, when Shario Rebello of CRC Chinchinim replicated Bradley’s feat and scored a brilliant goal from a similar distance, catching the Cuncolim Union goalkeeper off guard.
The second half saw Cuncolim Union adopt a more aggressive approach, but they met with stiff resistance from the CRC Chinchinim defence.
Neither team could find the decisive goal, and the match went into penalties. In the shootout, both teams scored four penalties each, with Shario Rebello, Piedade Rebello, Leslie Costa and Nigel Fernandes finding the net for CRC Chinchinim and Dailon Carvalho, Mevzen Oliveira, Jollyton Fernandes and Conny Fernandes scoring for Cuncolim Union.
The sixth penalty proved to be crucial, as Alister Fernandes of Cuncolim Union slotted home, while his counterpart from CRC Chinchinim missed.
Cuncolim Union will now face Ambelim SC in what promises to be an exciting final on July 9.
