CALANGUTE, JUNE 20
Nagoa Sporting Club defeated Cuncolim Union by a solitary goal to move into the finals of 16th Nerul Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament organised by Nerul Sports Club at Nerul ground on Friday.
In an exciting 2nd semi-final, it was Cuncolim Union who had the first crack at the Nagoa goal in the 10th minute but a Preston Fernandes try went inches wide off the mark. Another good move by Deepak of Cuncolim hit the crossbar and bounced back into play in the 14th minute. Thereafter, it was Nagoa who dominated the proceedings but their forwards were off target.
Unable to break the deadlock, Cuncolim mounted pressure on Nagoa defense and could have forged ahead in the second minute of the second half but Preston shot wide with only Nagoa goalkeeper Mandar Parab at his mercy. Cuncolim had another scoring opportunity but Saurabh was unlucky to miss the keeper Mandar effected a superb save off Deepak.
Finally, it was Nagoa who took the deserving lead in the 15th minute through a powerful header from Sanjay Kuddalkar off a Gauresh Naik corner.
Down by a goal, Cuncolim went all out in search of the equaliser but their forwards failed to find the net. Nagoa too had their share of scoring opportunities but could not increase the lead.
