TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao emerged lucky winners as they edged out Fr Agnelo Youth Sports Club, Paroda 9-8 via sudden death to enter the finals of St Lawrence Cup soccer organized by Agassaim Youth Club in association with Parish Youth of Agassaim, at Agassaim ground, on Thursday.
Fr Agnelo Youth were far more the better side as they attacked continuously but their rivals defended bravely through out and kept their cool in the penalty shoot-out.
Fr Agnelo Youth could have taken an early lead but Benzu Clememte’s powerful right-footer went inches wide.
Then just before the break, Mackroy Lima set up Lanchan Kiro in an ideal position but the striker’s chip over onrushing rival keeper Floyd Joao missed the target narrowly.
Post resumption, Fr Agnelo Youth continued their hunt for the opener. After working their socks off, they had a golden opportunity to score with nine minutes to go when Soccor Collaco’s close ranger was blocked by Floyd and fell to Alvison D’Costa.
However, right-winger Alvison blasted the ball infront of an open goal.
At the other end, Clube Sao Miguel could have pulled a surprise when Levino Pereira’s free-kick fell to Mahamed Ali only for the latter’s header to sail inches over.
There was no score at the end of regulation time.
In the resultant tie-breaker, Levino, Cedric, Ferran, Rakesh scored for Taleigao while Anthony, Lanchan, Godfrey, Alvison equalised for Fr Agnelo Youth. In the sudden death, Ali, Gary, Nitesh, Vardhan and Floyd scored for Taleigao while Edwin, Soccor, Gilmax and Milton converted for Fr Agnelo Youth.
Taleigao will now play the finals on Sunday with the winners of the second semi-finalist between ABC SC, Arambol and Nuvem SC.
