RAIA: Sporting Club Davorlim blanked Curtorim Gymkhana 2-0 to enter the semi- finals of the VM Salgaocar memorial invitational inter-village football tournament organised by Prime SC in association with Margao SC at St John Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim.
Curtorim Gymkhana had to blame themselves for the early exit after missing a plethora of chances but SC Davorlim who were at the receiving end for most of the time netted through Royson Colaco and Selwyn Miranda to book a place in the semi-finals.
Curtorim Gymkhana got off to a fast start and should have been in front in the 12th minute when Mackson Fernandes found his strike partner Joy Hilario on the top of the box but the burly striker shot high over the crossbar.
A couple of minutes later, Joy taking a short pass from Milagres Fernandes pushed the ball to the unmarked Mackson who tamely shot into the hands of SC Davorlim Goalkeeper Francis Colaco.
SC Davorlim had another great escape close to the lemon break when defender Ali Khan cleared the ball on the goaline following a low shot by Mackson.
Curtorim Gymkhana continued their profligacy in front of the rival goal when Caitano Viegas found Mackson with a long pass in the area but the forward, with only SC Davorlim Goalkeeper Francis at his mercy, lobbed the ball over the crosspiece six minutes after the restart.
After weathering the storm, SC Davorlim finally managed to get out of the shell and went ahead on a blistering counter attack in the 56th minute when midfielder Adarsh Raj sent Royson Colaco through with a deft pass to advance forward and shot past Curtorim goalkeeper Christo Hilario.
SC Davorlim, boosted by the lead, got the second when Curtorim defender Savio Piexoto brought down Reeve D’Costa inside the box for Referee Mario Pereira to point to the dreaded spot. Winger Selwyn Miranda easily converted the spot-kick and completed the win.
Earlier, special guests Benaulim Deputy Sarpanch Glyda Rodrigues and panch Diella Fernandes were introduced to the teams by Solon Furtado.
