G.O.A
ROLLING TROPHY
Skynet Raiders SC and Navelim YC in finals
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| Navelim , stand in keeper Alfred Pires saves a penalty to put his team in the finals |
Navelim YC came good in the tie-breaker lottery
edging AVC & CA after twice coming back from the jaws of defeat in a
pulsating match that had ended in a 2-2 draw and Skynet Raiders SC also made it
to their first ever final edging mighty Goa Maroons in similar fashion when the
game was tied 1-1 in the semi finals of
the 18th edition of the G.O.A Rolling Trophy organized by Goan Overseas
Association (Goa Maroons) under the auspices of KIFF and sponsored by Bassem
International Trading Company at the MOH ground, Shuwaikh (Kuwait).
In a scrappy encounter which saw tampers flying
all around; Braulio Rodrigues gave AVC the lead in the 10th minute
of the first half after combining well with the young and talented Kevin Vaz
who this season has caught the eye. However, Cruzedio of Navelim continuing his
good form in this tournament equalized much to the delight of the Navelim
members and supporters who are this year celebrating 25 years of the club’s
existence, only for Anthony Rodrigues to give AVC the lead once again after a
well worked move with Malwin. The
second half was sea-saw battle with the Canacona lad Savio Fernandes playing
brilliantly in the AVC midfield and his precise crosses nearly took the game
away from Navelim, but for poor finishing by their forwards.
Navelim on the other hand, marshaled by the elegant
Bernardo Pires, soaked in the pressure and were lucky to get the equalizer in
the dying minutes of the game when one of the AVC defenders handled the ball
and referee Victor Andrade had no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded
spot. Duarte Ferrao ensured the game
went into extra time when he clinically scored from the penalty spot, to end
the game 2-2. In
the ensuing tie-breaker Gasper Crasto, Bernard Pires, Ryan Lewis and Alfred
Pires scored for Navelim. Americo's penalty was saved by AVC goalkeeper Alvaro
Dias. Navelim stand-in keeper Alfred Pires saved a penalty while AVC hit their
penultimate kick on the crossbar. Only
Anthony and Nicholas could find the net for AVC.
Navelim YC winners in tie breaker
AVC & CA unfortunate to lose in tie breaker
In the second semi final, injury plagued Goa
Maroons without some of their star players were barraged with a series of
attacks from Skynet Raiders SC right from the start, but after a barren first
half, it was Maroons who opened the scoring through hard working Bonny Niasso
when in a sudden counter move, he worked past three defenders to slot past a
diving Francis Monteiro in the Skynet goal. With the game slipping from their
hands, Skynet Raiders responded with frantic raids and were unlucky twice with
the wood-work coming to Goa Maroons rescue. Dominic and Alex defended very well
for Skynet Raiders and just when it was looking like Maroons would scrape
through, Sathyarag Mohan scored when the ball rebounded off the crossbar to his
feet from a 25 yard shot taken by substitute Tiago.
Skynet Raiders in their first final after winning in tiebreaker
Goa Maroons lost in the tie breaker
Extra time remained goalless with players from
both the teams visibly tired from the extremely hot and dusty conditions and in
the ensuing penalty shootout, Monteiro saved Bonny’s kick to
ensure Skynet Raiders SC first ever entry in the final of the prestigious tournament.
The finals are slated for Friday, 1st
June 2012 at 8:00am (sharp) and Mr. Charles D’Sa the General Manager of Bassem
International Company will be the chief guest.
Julio Cardoso- Kuwait
Alex of Goa Maroons going for the header
Action shot - NYC vs AVC
tampers flying high in the heat
action shot AVC vs NYC
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