MAPUSA: Sesa Football Academy fought tooth and nail against hot favorites Salgaocar Football Club to book their place into the finals of the prestigious 18th Edition of Goa Police Football Cup organized by Goa Police Sports cell with a 12-11 win via sudden death played at Duler stadium here on Monday.
In an equally fought encounter the teams were locked in a 2—2 draw at the end of the regulation time.
Mohamed Faheez netted a brace for Sesa FA while Shubham Shirwaikar and Saurabh Patil scored for Salgaocar FC.
Sesa colts took the lead in the 13th minute when Mohamed Faheez moved dangerously almost from the center and set up Aston Rodrigues who after covering a few steps placed the ball on the platter back to Faheez who finished with a neat placement to give his side the lead.
In the 24th minute, Salgaocar’s Velentinho Nazareth sent a dangerous cross inside the 6-yard box which fell onto the feet of Sesa’s Akash Kudnekar whose clearance almost went into his own net.
At the half hour mark Sesa’s Sandeep played in a pin point cross towards Kunal Salgaonkar whose header missed the goal by inches.
Salgaocar’s coach Levino Pereira brought in two substitution Shubham Shirwaikar and Antush Moniz at the start of the second session and it paid well.
An intelligent through pass by medio Samuel Costa was controlled and finished by substitute Shubham Shirwaikar past the onrushing Sesa keeper Roanal Gaunkar to make it 1-1.
Play was then mostly restricted to midfield play with Green Brigade taking the lead in the 80th minute where a curling corner by Sidharth Kundaikar was smartly headed into the goal by Saurabh Patil 2-1.
Never say die spirit saw Sesa lads come with a precious equalizer in the 91st minute where Franky Oliveira sent a through pass to Mohammed Faheez who placed the ball into the far corner of the goal, 2-2.
With the match ending in a 2-2 draw the penalty shootout was enforced where the winners Sesa FA won by 10-9 margin.
For Sesa outfit Mohammed, Sandeep, Franky, Shridharnath, Omkar, Beckham, Macbon, Mayran, Roanal and Dominic scored on target, while for Salgaocar colts Samuel, Ribhav, Saurabh, Antush, Sidharth, Shubham, Umang, Perry, Krishnath,
Mohammed Faheez of Sesa FA received the man-of-the-match award from Shekar Kerkar.
