Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Fatorda Veterans sailed into the final of Panjim Veterans Football tournament edging out Bardez Veterans 3-0 in the semi-final played at Taleigao ground, on Tuesday.
Both teams started the match on an attacking note in search of early goals. Benedict Fernandes of Bardez Veterans put in his own goal and gave Fatorda Veterans lead in the first half.
As the match progressed, in the 30th minute, Bardez Veterans equalised almost in the similar fashion but Fatorda Veterans strong defender Anthony Pereira (former Mahindra & Mahindra player; Vincent Colaso, former Dempo SC player and Venacio Gonsalves, former Sporting Clube de Goa player didn’t allow Bardez forward to equalise.
In the second half, Fatorda Veterans doubled the lead through the efforts of Richard Carvalho.
In the dying minute, Fatorda Veterans made it 3-0 through Milagres Fernandes, of a pass from Precly Pereira.
Earlier, Fractures Verem Veterans moved into the final of Panjim Veterans football tournament organised by Panjim Veterans defeating Goa Police 5-3 via tie-breaker in the semi-final played at Taleigao ground, on Sunday.
Both the teams were 0-0 at the full time.
In the closing period of the first half, Nicolau Borges of Fractures Verem Veterans almost scored darting inside the box and after dribbling past defender Anthony Fernandes of Goa Police Veterans placed the ball towards the goal only to find Goa Police Veterans custodian Rupesh Kamoj retreat and gather the ball.
In the second half, Benedict D’Souza and Ravi Govekar of Goa Police Veterans missed an easy sitter. Alex Alvares, former Dempo SC player and Mathew Gonsalves, former FC Pune player were the solid rock in the Fractures Verem Veterans’ defence and didn’t allow Goa Police Veterans forward to penetrate.
Both the teams got equal numbers of scoring opportunities but failed to break the deadlock till the final whistle.
In the resultant tie-breaker, Avinash Shirodkar, Jitender Calangutkar, Melwyn Fernandes, Nicolau Borges, Radakrishna Detai scored for Fractures Verem Veterans, while Rohidas Mhaloji, Vinod Wilson, Benedict D’Souza scored for Goa Police Veterans. Anthony Fernandes’ kick was saved by Camilo Barreto of Fractures Verem Veterans.
Fatorda Veterans will meet Fractures Verem Veterans in the final on May 7, at the Santa Cruz ground.