PANJIM: With the quarterfinal stage of the Brian Mendes Memorial Football Championship getting underway on Friday, Vasco Veterans emerged the first team to enter the semi-finals after beating Assolda Veterans 2-0, at the Dr Gustavo Monteiro ground, Candolim. At half time the teams were tied goalless.
The match got off to a brilliant start with the teams playing attacking soccer. Vasco goofed up a major opportunity after they were gifted a penalty, when Assolda’s Agnel Gomes handled the ball inside the box. Assolda’s goalkeeper Prakash came to the rescue of his team and punched away the shot of Vasco’s Xavier Colaco.
The second half came lucky for Vasco who notched two goals. First Vasco’s Santan initiated a move on the left flank and crossed the ball to Remy Colaco, who tapped in the ball past Assolda’s goalkeeper Prakash.
Assolda trailing by a goal, nearly scored through Rosario but Vasco defender Niazi came up with a goal-line save.
Vasco rounded up their tally by another goal with Santan once again doing the spade work. Martin Pereira after being put through by Santan, made no mistake to score, sealing the fate of Assolda Veterans.
Assolda’s Damacian Pereira was adjudged as the man-of-the-match.
On Thursday, Panjim Veterans was the last team to qualify from the first round after overwhelmingly routing Candolim Veterans 3-1.
