Team Herald
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BENAULIM: Strong Contenders Sai Avatar Anjuna defeated defending champions Curtorim Gymkhana 3-2 via tie breaker to storm into the finals of the 31st Strikers Trophy Soccer Tournament organized by Young Strikers Benaulim, at St John the Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim, on Wednesday.
Curtorim shot into an early lead through striker Welson Fernandes but Nikish Salgaocar brought Anjuna in level terms on the half hour mark and in the penalty shootout Anjuna Goalkeeper Soma Koraocar did a class act to stop 3 penalties to take his team into Sunday’s Finals.
Anjuna conceded a soft goal as early as the 9th minute when Curtorim winger Caetano Viegas innocuous cross got a wicked deflection off Anjuna defender Akshay Vengurlakar and also with goalkeeper Soma Korgaocar on the wrong foot Curtorim striker Welson Fernandes dashed in to get a foot to the loose ball which rolled agonizingly into the empty net.
The goal did not deter the young Anjuna team with their playmaker Vinayak Mulgaoncar effortlessly controlling the mid field and supplying ball to his strikers Rohan Kambli and Saprem Diukar.
In the 29th minute Curtorim mid fielder Nelson Fernandes fouled Rohan Kambli on the Edge of the box and the resultant free kick which was struck with lots of venom was blocked by Curtorim goalkeeper Cristo Hilario unconvincingly but he was lucky as there was no one from the opposition side to put the rebound in.
In the very next minute Cristo was punished for his fault as the young goalkeeper found the well struck shot of Anjuna medio Tanay Naik too hot to handle and only succeeded in spilling it to awaiting rival winger Nitish Salgaocar to stab the ball into the nylons.
After the restart Anjuna were all over the rival territory and Curtorim defenders Placidino Fernandes and Savio Fernandes had a rowing time to contain the attacks.
Substitute goalkeeper Johnson Bhagat also made two crucial saves to keep Curtorim into the match.
In the resultant tie breaker Anjuna netted through Thanay Naik and Jesmon Carvalho but Saprem Diukar hit the upright while for Curtorim only Nelson Fernandes was successful but the efforts of Savio, Caetano and Welson were saved by the excellent Anjuna Goalkeeper to the utter joy of the capacity crowd.
Sai Avatar Anjuna will clash with Navelim Sporting in the final on July 24.
