Team Herald
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AMEBLIM: Salgaocar FC defeated Goan FC 7-6 via the tie-breaker to book final spot in the Goa Sevens Premier League organised by Goa Sevens and Ambelim Sports Club in association with Goa Football Association (GFA), at Ambelim Sports Complex, on Friday.
Meldon Silva scored for the Gaurs in the first half while Gilbert Oliveira made it all square in the second session.
The first attempt in the game was created by Salgaocar’s Leny Pereira but he shot wide. At the other end Goan FC’s Kingslee Fernandes received an inch perfect pass from Liston Colaco but the formers strike went inches away from the goal.
Salgaocar FC kept trying to score as Agnelo Coalco came close on two occasions but he failed to get his shot on target as the Salgaocar FC kept lurking for an opener.
It was the Goan FC who took the lead through Meldon Silva as he neatly shot into the nets that gave his side an early lead.
Being a goal down, the Green Brigade kept attempting to score but Agnelo and Umesh Harijan failed to get past Goan FC’s strong goalkeeper Sujitesh Mandrekar as the Gaurs went into the half with a slender 1-0 lead.
Post resumption, the game began to build up as tension flared on the field with a total of five bookings by the referee. Umesh Harijan placed in a long cross across the field to Samuel Costa but a diving save by Goan FC keeper denied them a goal yet again.
Salgaocar FC managed to make it all square after much probing through Gilbert Oliveira as he neatly headed the ball home off Agnelo’s long hand throw.
Later, both the teams had their share of attempts, but neither of the sides managed to convert as the game went into penalties.
In the ensuing tie-breaker, Gilbert Oliveira, Umesh Harijan, Mackroy Peixoto, Sanson Pereira, Samuel Costa and Lenny Pereira scored for the winners, while Meldon Silva, Liston Colaco, Saviour Gama, Jason Barbosa and Leander D’Cunha scored for the Gaurs.
