MAPUSA: FC Goa registered a hard fought 5-3 win over Kerala Blasters to enter the semi-finals of Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy organised by Goa Football Association at Duler Stadium, here on Monday.
For FC Goa colts Lalthangliana netted a hat-trick, with Deeshank Kunkalikar and Sitroy a adding their names to the scorers list, while for Kerala Blasters Muhammed Nisham (2) and Sreekuttan M S scored.
At the start of the match, Swetika Sachan, IAS Sports Secretary of Government of Goa and GFA’s President Dr Caitan Fernandes were introduced to the players and match officials.
Both teams though playing with their development squad gave in their best where only a win would secure them a place in the semi-finals.
Kerala Blasters Muhammed Nisham collecting a pass from Aritra Das brilliantly curled the ball to the far corner of the goal from the edge of the box, 1-0.
Young Gaurs medio Lalthangliana worked tirelessly and had his first crack at the rival goal but Kerala Blasters custodian Mohd Arbaz brought a brilliant save.
At the other end, Kerala Blasters goal scorer Muhammad Nisham was a bit late to connect Ebindas cross into the goal.
Young Gaurs scored two quick goals through Lalthangliana in the 42nd and 44th minute of play.
Controlling a pass from Mallikjan Kalegar he drilled a stiff grounder past the Kerala Blasters defence.
Just two minutes later, once again Lalthangliana latched a scorching right footer which was blocked by keeper Mohd Arbaz with a full stretched diving save and the ball travelled to Gogocha Chungkham but as the latter was about to pull acArbaz brought him down. Referee Raja Pir pointed
to the penalty spot. Lalthangliana stepped forward and scored 2-1.
On crossing ends, Young Gaurs once again scored two more quick goals in the 51st and 52nd minute through Sitroy Carvalho and Lalthangliana.
Kerala Blasters never say die spirit saw Muhammed Nisham score his brace, 4-2.
Young Gaurs hunger for goals did not stop as Deeshank Kunkalikar nodded off a corner from Malsawmtluanga 5-2.
In the added time, Kerala Blasters Sreekuttan M S scored his team’s third goal to make it 5-3.
Young Gaurs Lalthangliana received the man-of-the-match award from Johnny Pereira, GFA’s Executive Committee member
In the next match, Dempo SC registered a 4-1 win over Panjim Footballers to make it to the semi-finals.
It was an uphill task for both teams as they had to win Monday’s match with a big score.
Dempo SC colts did have better of the exchanges in the first session, but their strikers time and again failed to score. Striker Aaron Baretto saw one of his strikes being saved by Panjim Footballers’ custodian Vipin Sharma, while another two of his attempts from close kissed the horizontal bar.
Also Dempo SC’s Arnold Oliveira was thwarted by Panjim Footballers’ keeper in one to one situation.
Panjim Footballers did shine in patches where in the 25th minute Ajay Raj was a bit late to connect Teron Fernandes goal bound cross, and Ajay a was blocked by Dempo SC’s Chinkhoslam for a corner.
However, in the 41st minute, Panjim Footballers’ Rio Fernandes leapt high above the Dempo SC’s defenders to nod Teron’s corner into the net, 1-0.
On crossing ends, Panjim Footballers’ goalkeeper brought two out of the blue saves to deny Mevan Dias from scoring.
However, finally in the 59th minute, Mevan Dias nodded Arnold Oliveira’s free kick into the nylon, 1-1.
Once again Arnold was the provider to find substitute Asmon Oliveira connect his cross home, 2-1.
Mevan netted his brace off Vinay through pass, 3-1.
In the 84th minute, Dempo SC were awarded a penalty after Panjim Footballers’ Tejbahadur brought down Jordon Borges.
Sairon Albuquerque spot-kick was saved by Panjim Footballers’ custodian.
However, in the added time, Sairon scored from inside the penalty box, 4-1.
Dempo SC’s Mevan Dias received the man-of-the-match award from Anthony Vaz, Goa Football Association’s Executive Committee member.
