TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
DABOLIM: Salgaocar juniors clinched the GFA’s U-18 First Division title with a game to spare after beating SAI Hostel 3-2 in an exciting clash played at the TB Cunha Sports Complex in Cansaulim. The champions led 2-0 at the breather.
The game got off to a brisk start with both sides using the long ball to good effect. As the half wore on though, the Greens asserted their superiority by taking control of the midfield and using the flanks to good effect.
Austin Fernandes in particular kept the SAI defence on their toes with good overlapping runs down the left flank. The deadlock was broken in the 19th minute when a quick break through the middle saw a Salgaocar player tripped on the edge of the box. Off the resultant free-kick the goal-keeper affected a fine save at his near post resulting in a corner.
Arif Pathan who was lurking on the top of the box curled sweetly at the far post leaving the SAI keeper with no chance.
Thereafter the ball was mostly around the centre of the park with the SAI boys looking to break on the counter with the Salgaocar backs maintaining a high line in defense. Salgaocar doubled their lead in the 38th minute when a break from the right was whipped in at pace and bounced dangerously before Austin Fernandes neatly headed on the bounce over the on-rushing keeper.
In the second half the SAI boys came out intent to reduce the margin and attacking with a lot of gusto. They started to use the flanks to good effect. In the 52nd minute a firm shot from 20 yards out was well saved by the Salgaocar shot stopper.
Salgaocar added a third in the 58th minute when a perfectly weighted pass through the middle and over the defence saw Alson Mendes break free. He rounded the last man before placing calmly to the left of an advancing SAI keeper.
The game came to life though with SAI reducing the margin in the 60th minute through a well worked goal.
A scorcher from 25 yards out reduced the deficit further in the 66th minute. That seemed to spur the SAI juniors on as they pressed relentlessly looking for the equalizer.
However, the Salgaocar defence held firm thereafter to ensure the juniors claimed the club’s first silverware for the season.
