TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
CALANGUTE: Penha de Franca defeated Sai Avtaar, Anjuna 2-1 to move into the semi-finals of 4th all-Goa 9-a-side Reis Magos Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament, organised by Verem Boys in collaboration with United Club of Nerul, at panchayat ground, Ambekhand, Verem, Monday.
Anjuna went ahead in the 5th minute with Saprem Diukar finding the net off a solo effort. Trailing by a goal, Penha exerted pressure on Anjuna defence and almost drew level but Mahableshwar shot over the cross bar from close with only the keeper at his mercy.
Changing over, Penha came close to scoring in the 38th minute but Dilip Rodrigues shot kissed the bar and went out of play.
Siddesh Palkar put Penha on level terms in the 49th minute. Goaded by success, Mahableshwar doubled the lead in the minute. Trailing 1-2, Anjuna went all out in search of the equalizer but a goal eluded them.
On Sunday, Pilerne Sports Club downed Betalbatim Sporting Club 2-0 to move into the finals.
Royston Pereira put Pilerne ahead in the 24th minute beating a couple of defenders and unleashing the shot which entered the right corner of the net.
Trailing by a goal, Betalbatim kept attacking the rival citadel creating a couple of scoring opportunities but time and again their forwards failed to find the net. Desmond Pereira and Klinsman Pereira worked overtime in search of the goal but a goal eluded them. With time running out, Bapu Pednekar doubled the lead off a counter move much to the surprise of Betalbatim in the 54th minute of play.
