CUNCOLIM: Curtorim Gymkhana blanked Navelim Villagers Union 2-0 to storm into the semi-finals of South Goa Mc Dowells’ No 1 Yaari Premiere Cup inter-village football tournament, organized by Cuncolim Union at Government Village School ground, Cuncolim, on Saturday.
The highlight of the day was splendid brace by James Fernandes.
Curtorim Gymkhana began stronger and came up with opportunities that could have given them a convincing lead.
At the other end, Navelim were resolute at the back until the first goal.
While going forward, there was very little on offer from Navelim outfit who often found it hard to break Curtorim Gymkhana’s high press.
The opener came in the 14th minute when striker James Fernandes slotted past the Navelim goalkeeper Paul Fernandes with snap shot after Cliffton Barbosa laid him through pass.
After taking the lead, Curtorim added more pace and power and the moves were orchestrated in an organised manner.
James Fernandes blew away golden chance to increase their tally when he was fed by Cliffton Barbosa.
Navelim took the fight to the rival camp and fired couple of well sorties against the rival goal and had a chance to level the score but striker Aulon Gomes misfired from handshaking distance with only Curtorim goalkeeper Christo Hilario at his mercy.
Curtorim almost finished in a flourish late in the first half when James Fernandes and Cliffton Barbosa rifled shots. It took Paul Fernandes under the Navelim bar to deny both the players.
Growing in confidence, Curtorim dominated from then on. After change of ends Curtorim dominated proceedings with James Fernandes and Cliffton Barbosa, but the duo missed two presentable chances to put the game beyond doubt. The first one came soon after the resumption as Cliffton Barbosa failed to beat the rival goalkeeper in one to one situation.
Navelim Villagers Union pressed hard for the equaliser and employed more men upfront and launched barrage of attacks. They came close in cancelling the lead but Velson Cardozo and Fr Americo Rodrigues muffed gilt edged chances from close range. Curtorim Gymkhana put the match beyond all doubt when James Fernandes who produced an outstanding performance, smashed with a thump header off flag kick taken by Cliffton Barbosa to put to make it 2-0 in the 56th minute.
With time ticking out, Navelim went all out, however, Curtorim Gymkhana defenders stood tall in protecting the lead till the final whistle. James Fernandes of Curtorim Gymkhana was adjudged man of the match.
At Anjuna ground, Adarsh Yuvak Sangh edged past Saligao Sporting Club 1-0.
