MAPUSA: FC Goa register a 3-2 win via a penalty shootout in the semi-final to get the better of Cortalim Villagers to enter the final of Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy organised by Goa Football Association (GFA), at Duler stadium, here on Thursday.
Both teams played almost on equal footing and had number of scoring opportunities. In the very 3rd minute, Cortalim Villagers’ Vikram Venkatachalam was thwarted by Young Gaurs custodian Bob Raj, while a minute later Saeesh Halankar strike zoomed just over the crossbar.
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At the other end, Young Gaurs came with two back to back attempts at the rival goal but Akash Oraow after dribbling past a host of defenders drilled a shot which hit defender for a corner. A minute later, Brison Fernandes strike missed the target narrowly.
In the 28th minute, Cortalim Villagers’ Michael Dias strike was paired for a corner by rival custodian, while at the other end Young Gaurs goalkeeper was equal to the task as he saved a stiff grounder from Limmet. Cortalim Villagers’ Preston Fernandes moved dangerously inside the penalty box but to everyone’s dismay shot skywards from close.
On resumption of play, in the 56th minute, Cortalim Villagers’ Bersal Viegas saw his tap at the goal off Denil Rebello’s corner hit the post. Young Gaurs Aditya’s free-kick was timely paired to safety by rival goalkeeper before Brison Fernandes could connect his header. Minutes later, Laltlangzova power-packed shot was blocked by Cortalm Villagers’ goalkeeper Savio Pereira and the ball rolled to Lalthangliana who blasted wide.
With the match ending in a goalless draw, the penalty shootout was enforced.
FC Goa’s goalkeeper Bob Raj received the man-of-the-match award from Ravindra Cabral, GFA’s Executive Member.
In another match, Kerala Blasters FC registered a solitary goal win over Sesa Football Academy to enter the final.
Kerala Blasters’ Thingujam Singh broke the hearts of all Sesa FA supporters, as he scored the match winning goal in the 87th minute of play.
Sesa FA lads did have better of the exchanges and attempts at the rival goal but two free kicks by Thokchom Singh and Shridharnath Gawas failed to find the target. In the 27th minute a floater by Shridharnath saw Thokchom a bit late to connect the ball, past the onrushing Kerala’s custodian Muhammed Jaseen.
Kerala’s best chance came in the 33rd minute from a fine build up move initiated by Muhammed Nisham to Aritra Das who in turn set up Sreekuttan M.S inside the 18-yard box whose strike deflected off Sesa FA’s defender for a corner.
Just two minutes before the breather Sesa colts once again came close in opening their account when Sankalp Kankonkar squared the ball to Shridharnath Gawas whose stiff grounder was outside the penalty box was collected by keeper Muhammed Jaseen with a full stretched diving save.
On crossing ends, Sesa FA colts continued on their onslaught but Clencio Pinto shot was blocked by keeper at the first post while a curling 25-yard shot by Sankalp traveled just past the goal post.
Coach Charles Dias brought his triumph player Joshua D’Silva from the bench who collecting a pass at the right flank covered some ground and sent a deadly cross to overlapping Clencio who connected his shot at the goal but to total disbelief of the players and supporters the ball hit the goal post and went out.
After midfield tussle in the 87th minute Kerala’s Thingujam Singh collected a pass from Ebindas and without any hesitation drove the ball to the far corner of the goal, beating Sesa FA’s custodian hands down, leaving the stadium in dead silence and disbelief.
Kerala’s Thingujam Singh received the man-of-the-match award from Sandesh Chodankar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mapusa. FC Goa will now face Kerala Blasters FC in the final on Saturday.
