PANAJI
Siolim got the better of hosts Viva North Veterans 7-6 via a tie-breaker to advance into the next round of the Brian Mendes Memorial Veterans football tournament organized by Viva North Veterans Football Club at the Dr Gustavo Monteiro football ground, Candolim, Thursday evening.
The match got underway with both teams being introduced to the chief guest Dr Neil Russel, MD Ayurveda and Trevor Paiva, Superintendant of Customs, escorted by Micky Fernandes. While both the teams adopted an attacking strategy, Viva North Veterans had a better share of the proceedings and had at least two scoring chances. North Veterans’ Anthony Pontis failed to convert an early chance with Siolim goalkeeper Devanand at his mercy but his feeble and misdirected try landed into the hands of the latter.
Continuing to put pressure on Siolim, hosts North Veterans once again came close when John Dias, in a solo effort, outmaneuvered three Siolim defenders but shot wide with just the goalkeeper in front of him. Siolim midfield David D’Souza, the former Dempo SC player, played a stellar role in the midfield and managed to soak in the pressure from North Veterans.
With no winner coming in regulation time, the match was decided in the tie-braker. Siolim scored through Sebastian Lemos, Santosh Palyekar, David D’Souza, Jahfet D’Souza, Chandra Shankar, Nilesh Vaigankar, Shankar Dhargalkar but Devanand Govenkar’s shot was saved by North Veterans keeper Trevor Antao (ex-Sesa). For North Veterans, John Dias, Avinash Shirodkar, Agnelo Miranda, Genevieve Fernandes, Anthony Pontes, Trevor Antao converted their shots. However, Claudio Pacheco’s shot was parried away by Siolim keeper Devanand Govenkar while Santan Carvalho blasted over handing Siolim the vicory. Devanand Govenkar was declared the man of the match for his heroics under the Siolim crosspiece.
PLAYING TODAY
Chico Veterans, Verna vs Chinchinim Veterans, Dr Gustavo Monteiro football ground,
Candolim, 4.45 pm.
