TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: Salgaocar Sports Club prevailed over Betalbatim Sporting Club 5-3 via the tie-breaker to emerge South Goa District Champions in GFA under-14 play-off final at SAG ground, Assolna, Friday.
Salgaocar were leading 1-0 at the breather.
Betalbatim played without two key players who are donning India-14 colours. Salgaocar played without one key player who is also doing India duty.
Salgaocar’s striker Lenin D’ Mello had a great start as he struck in the 7th minute off Jude Cardozo, beating Betalbatim custodian Terence Furtado hands down. They created several opportunities thereafter, but their forwards either shot wide or straight into the hands of the rival goalkeeper.
Betalbatim, after a subdued start, went into the attacking mode with fleet-footed striker Rollwin Almeida creating ripples in the rival defence.
Post-resumption, Betalbatim played with more purpose, being more aggressive. They created at least three good scoring chances. First, striker Rollwin Almeida dribbled past a couple of rival defenders with body feints but lost control at the rival goal mouth. Later, Rollwin instead of heading the ball used his foot and the golden chance was lost after he was fed by Jonathan Veiga. Jonathan himself was the culprit subsequently as he shot wide from close range after he received a through pass from midfielder Princeton Rebello.
Betalbatim equalized in the 50th minute as Rollwin outpaced his markers and unleashed a snap shot which beat rival goalkeeper Kunal Gaonkar.
Betalbatim snatched the lead through midfielder Princeton whose brilliant long ranger pierced the net in the 64th minutue. Betalbatim could have scored another one but rival goalkeeper Ronal Gaonkar came to his side’s rescue blocking Jonathan’s rasping shot at the expense of a flag kick.
Salgaocar hit back and restored parity as Hanjoy Dias’ cross from the right saw striker Lenin slotting past the rival goalkeeper in injury time.
In the penalty shoot out, Jude Cardozo, Jesbon Fernandes, Shaun Pais were on target for Salgoacar while only Rollwin Almeida netted for Betalbatim.
