Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Sao Jose de Areal secured a well-deserved 2-0 win over Saligao United to enter the semi-finals of 24th Vagator Soccer 2025 played at Vagator ground, on Thursday.
The game kicked off energetically, where in the 9th minute Tyson Carvalho capitalised on a close-range opportunity to slot the ball home and give Sao Jose de Areal a 1-0 lead.
Just a minute later, Tyson came close to doubling the tally with a free-kick that rattled the crossbar.
In the 24th minute, Bersal Vegas delivered a beautiful ball into the Sao Jose de Areal box, which Leo Gonsalves headed straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
In the 30th minute, Kenrick Menezes weaved past a couple of defenders to unleash a crisp shot, only to be denied by a stunning save from the Sao Jose de Areal goalkeeper Dezi Oliveira.
The second half resumed with intensity and in the 35th minute Ashnoy Gomes curled in a brilliant shot from outside the box, doubling Sao Jose de Areal’s lead, 2-0.
Tensions flared in the 52nd minute with a heated altercation between players from both sides.
In the 60th minute, Abusalia Havaldar of Saligao came close with a powerful header from a corner, but the Sao Jose de Areal goalkeeper Dezi pulled off a tremendous save to dent any hopes of Saligao United comeback.