CURTORIM: Rossman Cruz, Nagoa-Verna defeated St Anthony SC, Colva 2-1 to enter the final of the Wilred Leisure Soccer, tournament organised by Wilred Leisure Curtorim, on Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs ground Curtorim, on Sunday.
Both teams started the match on the attacking note. Rossman Cruz’s coach Bengamin Barretto deputed Savio Fernandes in the midfield as a play maker to support his strike force upfront, and the lad had the first opportunity of the match when he ran solo in the rival territory only to see his goal bound effort shielded by Colva defender Maxon Fernandes in the second minute.
St Anthony’s main striker Joston Pereira capitalised on a Rossman Cruz defensive glitch and shot at the goal, only to see his effort denied by a brilliant save by keeper Royal Moniz.
In the second quarter, Rossman once again came close to scoring but Eusubio Fernandes’ long range effort was thwarted by Colva keeper.
Colva keeper Maxon once again came with a diving save in the 20th minute to deny Beneston Barretto to keep his team into the game.
Minutes later, Rossman Cruz were denied the breakthrough once again in the 22nd minute. This time around it was the post which obstructed Savio’s diving header off Beneston’s cross.
At the other end, the Rossman Cruz defender Vijay cleared St Anthony’s Jesus Cardozo corner off the line.
The Verna team finally broke the deadlock when Savio Fernandes sent in an aerial ball to Beneston Barretto, who slammed a powerful shot in the far corner of the nets to make it 1-0 in the 24th minute.
In the 35th minute, Rossman Cruz’s Eusebio Fernandes curl shot dipped into Colva nets off Savio Fernandes’ assist.
Keith Rodrigues of Colva took a corner kick in the 42nd minute which brushed the legs of Rossman Cruz defender and entered the Rossman net.
Rossman Cruz, Nagoa-Verna will meet SC Davorlim in the final on March 12.
