MARGAO: Salgaocar Football Club may be in the pole position to secure the semi-final berth but Indian Navy were in no mood to give up the chase as substitute Riyadh’s match-winner helped them overcome Tuff Laxmi Prasad Sports Club 3-2 in Group A quarter-finals league in 127th Durand Cup football tournament, at panchayat ground, Raia, on Saturday. The teams were tied 1-1 at the lemon break.
Aware that win will keep their hopes alive after losing their first match to Salgaocar FC, Indian Navy started the game attackingly and had the better ball possession. They surged ahead in the 40th minute when Devandasan sent in a cross from the right to Britto PM, who without wasting time beat the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot.
Instead of getting demoralized, Tuff Laxmi came back with determination. Their first response came from the Nigerian striker ND Opera, who found the net two minutes before lemon break after rival defender failed to clear the ball to safety.
Soon, Tuff Laxmi were lucky after rival striker Biplab Dhar’s volley hit the crossbar and went out of the line, much to the disappointment of Indian Navy supporters.
Crossing over, Indian Navy enjoyed the best spell and kept marching forward and the Goan citadel finally caved in the 46th minute when striker V Lalchuanamwac pounced on Anoop Pauly’s cross, beating Jason D’Mello under the Tuff Laxmi sticks.
Tuff Laxmi’s equalizer came late in the second half when Nigerian striker ND Opera headed home off a well executed flag-kick taken by Macroy Peixoto.
However, Indian Navy’s match-winner came when V Lalchuananwa sent in a fine cross to Britto PM, who relayed the ball to substitute Riyadh B and the latter slotted past the rival keeper, 3-2.
