Salgaocar FC advance into semis

the goan I network

DULER  

Salgaocar Football Club booked their place into the semi-finals of the 15th edition of Goa Police Football Cup organised by Goa Police Sports Cell with a 4-2 win over St Savio’s Sports Club Calangute, played at Duler stadium, here on Monday.  

St Savio’s did come with a fine display as they not only managed to hold Salgaocar FC in the first 25 minutes of the match but took the lead. In the 26th minute, Salgaocar keeper Abhijit Das fumbled to collect a scorching free-kick from Pedro Gonsalves, which rolled to Shashank Naik, who calmly guided the ball into the goal to put the Calangute side ahead.   

However in the 30th minute, the Green Brigade found the equaliser as their star U-20 striker Devendra Murgaonkar brilliantly headed in off Gilbert Oliveira’s perfect cross to make it 1-1. Pepped up by the equaliser, Salgaocar took the lead in the 43rd minute as Sanson Pereira found Brian Mascarenhas with an intelligent through pass and the latter easily placed the ball home from inside the box to make it 2-1 for his side. In the very next minute, Nigerian striker Joel Sunday made it 3-1 for the Greens with a superb individual effort.   

In the closing stage of the first session, St Savio reduced the margin through Sanket Jotkar who made an easy tap-in from the goalmouth to make it 3-2 for the Calangute side. On crossing ends, the first quarter was restricted to midfield play which ended with a swift attack from Salgaocar as Gilbert cut past a defender and tried his luck from distance but his fierce shot was saved by Calangute keeper Dietmar Fernandes.   

A few minutes later, Salgaocar had two more chances to increase their lead, but first Umesh Harijan saw his shot from the top of the box brilliantly blocked by keeper Dietmar, while Mackroy’s effort from close went just wide. However, in the added-on time, the Green Brigade were successful to break the Calangute defence for the fourth goal, as U-20 striker Devendra completed his brace with a brilliant goal over the onrushing keeper to make it 4-2.  

Sanket Jotkar of St Savio’s SC was adjudged as the Man of the match.