MARGAO: Host United Club of Benaulim grounded Cuncolim Union 2-0 to enter the last four of the 6th Cana Benaulim Panchayat Cup all-Goa inter-village football tournament, at St John the Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim, on Monday.
Benaulim took firm grip on the proceedings with their midfielders combining well.
Cuncolim were edgy in their defence and they conceded in the 11th minute after Xamaro’s free-kick from the right was nodded in by lanky Joaquim Fernandes past Cuncolim goalkeeper Deepak Velip.
Nine minutes later, Benaulim doubled their lead with winger Sunny Rodrigues quickly releasing the ball in a counter-attack move to Elvis Barreto, who outpaced rival defender Mahesh Gaunkar and placed the ball into the back of the nylon.
After resumption Benaulim tried hard to inflate the tally but defender Saurabh Phaterpekar was outstanding along with medio Tedlan Gomes to repel the attacks.
At the fag end of the match, Cuncolim got a chance to reduce the margin but Benaulim defender Vessley Afonso made a timely clearance when Tedlam tried to send in a dangerous cross.
