Team Herald
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BENAULIM: St Anthony Sports Club Assolda drubbed Navelim Sporting 3-0 to storm into the semi-finals of the 34th Strikers Trophy soccer tournament organised by Young Strikers Club Benaulim, at St John Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim.
The match was a tale of self destruction for Navelim and it began in the sixth minute itself when an indecisive stopper back Rovan Pereira pushed a feeble back pass to his goalkeeper Selvin Gomes but the rival striker Irfan Yadwad who was cleverly following the move quickly darted in and slammed the ball into the unguarded goal.
The shaky Navelim defence was at fault once again six minutes later when Allister Costa allowed Assolda winger to come inside the box rather too easily and pick out an unmarked Myran Fernandes to tap the ball past the hapless Selvin Gomes.
Navelim woke up from their slumber and produced a golden opportunity but striker Aulon Gomes wasted a sitter from inside the box.
The momentum was in favour of Navelim but inept shooting by Aulon and Travis Sousa left the supporters frustrated as the duo fritted two open chances with only the rival goalkeeper Johnson Fernandes the last man standing.
Despite some positive efforts upfront the Navelim defence remained error prone and Irfan Yadwad got his brace as the striker taking a fine pass of Moises D Sa easily went past Brandon and Rovan to slot the ball into the nylons to give Assolda a comfortable lead going into the half time break.
After resumption Assolda appear to be content in keeping the ball and made their rivals to work hard for possession. At the fag end of the match, Navelim winger Allister got past Asolda defender Cruz Gomes and fired a right footer which missed the target by inches.
