Team Herald
BENAULIM: Young Strikers Benaulim survived some anxious moments in the closing stages to prevail over a fighting Cortalim Villagers 1-0 to enter the semi-finals of the 9th Cana Benaulim Panchayat Cup organized by Young Strikers Club, Benaulim, at St John the Baptist ground, Dando-Benaulim, on Tuesday.
The match began on a fast note with Cortalim Villagers enjoying more possession but their over adventurous strategy almost cost them a goal in the 10th minute but Young Strikers striker Joel Fernandes’ effort was blocked by Cortalim Villagers goalkeeper Savio Paes.
Young Strikers defence had a tough time containing the speedy rival strikers and the host goalkeeper Sugitesh Mandrekar made two brilliant saves to deny Elvis Pereira and Estevan Mendes.
Young Strikers took time to settle down and scored the all-important goal in the 27th minute and the architect of the goal was left-wing back Milred Rebello, who took a Rodney Fernandes’ through pass and simply burst into the rival box moving past Cortalim Villagers defender Rizvon Gama and Mag Paes, who was also present there, passed the ball to striker Joel Fernandes to slot in from hand shaking distance.
The second session saw Cortalim Villagers piling the pressure but Young Strikers defence of Meldon D’Silva, Mavin Afonso and Sidroy Baptista were compact to make all the moves.
Cortalim Villagers got good chances but Schubert Pereira and Renzil Fernandes were wasteful.
Young Strikers also got two opportunities but substitute medio Bipin Malik and Arif Pathan failed to consolidate the position. At the fag end of the match Cortalim Villagers went all out to get the equalizer but Young Strikers goalkeeper Sugitesh Manderakar was unbeatable to take his team into the semi-finals.
