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RAIA: Sao Jose de Areal SC defeated United Boys of Ambaulim 2-1 in the semi-final to advance into the final of 18th All Goa Guirdolim Panchayat Cup, organised by Guirdolim Club, at Chandor Church sports complex ground.
At lemon break, both the teams failed to open an account.
Changing ends, both teams were equally matched playing entertaining brand of football. In the 39th minute, Teron of UB Ambaulim showed good presence of mind upon realising the goalkeeper off his line, he took a shot from a distance to find the back of the net and give his team the lead.
Sao Jose de Areal SC stung by a goal upped the ante and it was veteran Rayman who scored a beautiful placement goal to restore parity in the 46th minute.
Both teams then went all out for the winning goal and Rayman almost scored in the 53rd minute when his glancing header missed the mark by a whisker.
Rayman of Sao Jose de Areal SC made amends for his earlier miss in the 56th minute when he coolly tapped in a cross from Gomindes to give his team the lead.
Sao Jose de Areal SC will now meet Wilred Leisure SC, Curtorim, in the final on December 8.
Rayman of Sao Jose de Areal SC was awarded the player-of-the-match by John Fernandes, executive committee member of United Boys of Ambaulim.
In the other semi-final, Wilred Leisure SC, Curtorim, edged past Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, 5-3 via the tie-breaker to march into the final.
Edgar scored the opening goal in the 20th minute for Don Bosco Oratory. The match headed into the break with the score reading 1-0 in favour of DBO.
Changing ends, in the 46th minute, Milagres of Wilred Leisure SC was fouled 25 yards out from the rival goal by a Don Bosco Oratory defender.
From the resulting free-kick, Nickson Castanha of Wilred Leisure SC scored a beautiful goal leaving the Don Bosco Oratory keeper stranded, 1-1. No more goals were scored till the end of regulation time.
In the resultant tie-breaker, Wilred Leisure SC converted all four, while Don Bosco Oratory could only convert two.
Velton D’Souza of DBO was awarded the player-of-the-match by Arnaldo Costa, president of Curtorim Gymkhana.
