Allan Rebello
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: PCCE Verna showed solid character to pip Damodar College, Margao 1-0 and move into the semi-finals of inter-collegiate football tournament, The ACF Trophy 2015, organized by Herald Group in association with Syngenta India Pvt Ltd, powered by Goa Football Development Council and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, at SAG ground, Fatorda, on Friday.
It was Damodar College, who dominated the proceedings and going into the match as favourites. In the very 4th minute, Maxon Fernandes played a long ball to striker Sampan Keny, who was too slow on his run to create any problem for the PCCE defence.
PCCE created a good move in the 13th minute when star midfielder Sammy D’Souza fed a beautiful through ball to Yadriff Borges. The striker instead of passing went to shoot the ball, which was an off target.
Damodar College tried creating some moves but the PCCE defence marshalled by Ayesh Tari stood strong not giving any chances to the rival attackers to net in.
But it was PCCE that finally made a breakthrough. Vally Vaz received the ball and beautifully lobbed over to striker Yadriff beating the Damodar defence hands down.
The striker made amends for his previous mistake to shoot straight into the goal giving no chance to Damodar College goalkeeper.
In the second half, PCCE showed urgency to double the lead and they were almost rewarded. Six minutes of play, David Monteiro did well to beat his rival players and passed the ball to Sidhantho Coelho, who missed the target with only the keeper to beat.
Damodar did work hard to get the much needed equalizer but their efforts were thwarted by the strong defence of PCCE.
PCCE could have easily increased their margin by 3-0 but Sammy and Alric Pires missed sitters.
