Team Herald
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VERNA: Joe Cookies Veterans secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bardez Veterans to book their place in the quarterfinals of the all-Goa 8-a-side Veterans football tournament, organised by the Ex Footballers of Verna at the Verna panchayat ground.
The match began with Joe Cookies asserting early dominance, launching a series of attacking moves that paid off with two quick goals. Agnelo Colaco opened the scoring before Mathy Dias doubled the lead, giving the Verna side a comfortable 2-0 advantage at half-time.
Bardez Veterans responded with intensity in the second half, pressing high and creating multiple chances. Their persistence bore fruit when Shailesh Miskin found the net, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 and setting up a tense finish.
Despite Bardez’s late surge, including a glaring missed opportunity in the dying minutes, Joe Cookies held firm to claim the win. The final whistle confirmed their progression to the quarterfinals, leaving Bardez to rue the missed chance that could have taken the game into extra time.
Joerose Oliver of Joe cookies was awarded man-of-the-match from Salvador Braganza.
