Team Herald
MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa struggled before securing a narrow 2-1 win over Sesa Football Academy and made it into the final of the GFA’s U-18 League played at Duler Stadium, here, on Tuesday.
At the start of the match, one minute of silence was observed for the sad demise of referee Seby Moraes.
At halftime, both the sides were tied, 1-1.
Sesa FA did not waste much time and shot into the lead in the early 4th minute of play when Agnelo Barreto’s powerful right footed shot found no answer from the Sporting Clube custodian, 1-0.
In a matter of a few minutes, Sesa FA should have doubled their lead. However, Mark failed to give finishing touches to Lionnel D’Souza’s cross.
Sporting Clube managed to get their acts together and pressed hard for the equalizer. In the 28th minute Cayen Araujo rasping 30-yard strike sailed inches over the Sesa FA woodwork.
In the 33rd minute of play, Sporting Clube finally levelled terms when Ivon Costa set the ball to Carry Vaz who weaved his way past the Sesa FA defenders and tapped the ball home, 1-1.
The goal seemed to have lifted the Sporting Clube spirits, where they came teasingly close to taking the lead. However, Sesa FA defender Anil Chawan managed to thwart Carry’s goal bound shot.
Crossing over, Mark Baretto charged into the Sporting Clube citadel and unleashed a low grounder which was acrobatically saved by the diving Sporting Clube keeper Selwyn D’Souza.
At the other end, substitute Perryson Joel Fernandes fired in the all-important goal for Sporting Clube, when on getting hold of the ball from Desmon Pereira he drilled in a power-packed shot which entered the goal after brushing the Sesa FA keepers fingers, 2-1.
In the injury moments of the match, Sesa FA’s Anil Chawan was given a direct red card and sent-off by referee Valenton Fernandes for a reckless challenge on Sporting Clube player.
