TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Augustias Sports Club, Pomburpa relied on Sonu Halankar’s injury time strike to edge past Benny XI Sports Club, Mapusa 3-2 in the Bardez zone GFA’s 3rd Division league play-offs, at Sangolda ground, here, Thursday.
The winners led 1-0 at the breather.
The teams started attackingly but neither of them could hold on to the ball. Benny XI could have taken the lead early on but unmarked Nikesh Mangueshkar ballooned over with only rival keeper Lue Fernandes at his mercy off a move initiated by Jesus De Souza and Gautam Kurtikar.
At the other end, Augustias were getting into a rhythm but found it hard to penetrate. However, they surged ahead in the 36th minute through medio Pravin Jadav’s thunderous free-kick which left Benny XI custodian Nesty D’Souza stunned.
The second session was much more exiting as it produced four goals. Benny XI found the much needed equalizer at the hour mark through Oswin Gouveia’s side-footed placement but minutes later, Augustias scored their second goal against the run of play as Dyanesh Nagvencar cleverly chipped over the onrushing keeper.
Benny XI did not lose their concentration and stayed focused. They restored parity in the 84th minute when Andrew Gonsalves nodded in from inside the 18-yard box.
With the scores levelled, the match was heading into penalties but Augustias stretched their muscles in the added time and finished in style with Sonu’s venomous long ranger, to make it 3-2.
