Team Herald
BENAULIM: St Anthony’s Club, Colva shocked Curtorim Gymkhana 2-0 to enter the semi-finals of the 34th Strikers Trophy, organised by Young Strikers Benaulim and played at St John the Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim.
Colva made a stunning start to open the scoring in the 3rd minute itself when the Curtorim defence was caught napping for allowing rival winger Joel Fernandes to run inside the box where Colva medio David Fernandes connected well but Curtorim goalkeeper Johnson Bhogot did even better to divert the ball for a corner. However, from the resultant corner kick Switzer Fernandes headed in Baptist Fernandes’ delivery.
Taken by surprise, Curtorim exerted pressure but striker Joybert Almeida wasted two decent chances. Colva sustained the pressure and they soon scored when Joel Fernandes’ effort was headed in by Franslan Correia.
Down by two goals Curtorim virtually camped inside the rival territory but Colva defended in numbers and kept the rival strikers Milagris Fernandes and Joybert Almeida in check.
The advent of Neville Fernandes increased the pressure as the substitute midfielder supplied numerous high balls into the area but Colva rearguard of Denilson Fernandes, Maxson Fernndes, Kabir Khan and Switzer Fernandes defended brilliantly. Colva goalkeeper Valerian D’Sa also made two crucial saves to deny Joybert and Savio Fernandes in the closing stages of the match to take his team into the semis.
