PANJIM: Govt College Quepem overcame a resilient Padre Conceicao College of Engineering (PCCE), Verna 4-2 via the tie-breaker to storm into the final of AC Fernandes memorial inter-collegiate football tournament, organized by Herald Group in association with Goa Tourism.
PCCE started attackingly with swift passing and runs down the flanks. They kept applying pressure and finally their efforts bore fruits as hard working Yadriff Borges sprinted through the left flank and crossed the ball to Macanzy Fernandes, who kept his composure on the wet surface and unleashed a rasping shot right into the top corner of the net, giving no chance to keeper Jovial Coutinho.
As the match moved on, it became difficult for the teams to control the ball.
Govt College Quepem showing more urgency and ten minutes in the second half, winger Ashley Carvalho almost scored of a long ranger but PCCE keeper Elsunny Fernandes came to his teams rescue with a beautiful save. Govt College Quepem finally got a breakthrough when Menino Menezes took a free-kick which moved goalwards and keeper Elsunny failed to avert the danger. Alton Vaz managed to score from a goal mouth melee much to the excitement of the Quepem camp.
A few minutes later, Govt College scored a goal only to be called off as the ball was handled by Joseph D’Costa. The match official booked Joseph for the offence.
PCCE suffered a setback as two of their player’s defender Ayesh Tari and midfielder Glenville Soares had to be substituted due to injuries.
In the resultant penalty shoot-out, Government College Quepem emerged better shooters with keeper Jovial Coutinho stopping shots from Joel Gama and Sammy D’Souza. Government College Quepem now face Don Bosco College, Panjim in the final on October 10.
