RAIA: Goa Velha SC defeated Navelim Villagers Union 6-5 via tie-breaker to move into the final of 13th Cana-Benaulim Panchayat Trophy inter-village football tournament organised by UC Benaulim at St John de Baptista ground, Dando-Benaulim, on Thursday.
Midfielder Frenden Pires struck a superb volley to give Navelim Villagers Union an early lead but Goa Velha SC fought back to restore parity through Kunal Salgaokar’s spot kick in the second session.
Navelim were the firm favourites to go through and expectedly after dominating the match went ahead in the 15th minute when medio Freden Pires controlled the loose ball on the edge of the area to fire a right footer volley which crashed into the nylon past rival goalkeeper Pratik Kankonkar.
Goa Velha SC’s persistent efforts for the much needed equaliser came when the hard-working midfielder Kunal Kundaikar low flag kick was handled in the danger zone by Navelim defender Valinton Silva. Referee Raja Pir award a penalty, which was converted easily by Kunal.
In the resultant tie-breaker, Goa Velha SC were successful through Sainath Kankonkar, Francis Afonso, Akash Sanadi, Kunal Kundaikar and Franky Cabral. For Navelim Villagers Union, Clinton Niasso, Aden Pereira, Joyson Coutinho and Venito Costa scored. Kunal Kundaikar of Goa Velha SC was adjudged as the man-of-the-match.
