MAPUSA: Calangute Association were stretched to a penalty shoot-out before they got the better of Saligao United by a 6-5 margin, and moved ahead in the Vagator Soccer 2018 (UK Cup) tournament organised by Vagator PYSC, at Vagator-Ozran grounds, here on Wednesday.
Saligao United started earnestly and had two good attempts at the rival goal, but Calangute goalkeeper Selwyn D’Souza brought two out-of-the blue saves. In the 3rd minute, he stopped Craig Menezes’ 15-yard shot and later in the 23rd minute, blocked Swanand Naik’s 12-yard shot from entering the goal.
While Saligao United failed to score, Calangute’s play-maker and medio Aiken Dias put his team ahead with an adroit placement after Runal Shirodkar had done the spadework.
On crossing over, in the 44th minute Saligao United managed to finally score the equaliser through Craig Menezes from an assist by Swanand Naik, while goalkeeper Selwyn was beaten, 1-1.
Just two minutes later, the Saligao boys almost took the lead, but Swanand Naik’s header from close travelled over the post. In the penalty shoot-out, the Calangute side scored through Dominic Fernandes, Siddharth Simepurushkar, Sanjay Vengurlekar, Samir Chodankar and Aiken Dias. For Saligao United, Nukhil Naik, Sidesh Keserkar, Sachianand Satelkar, Jayganesh Goltekar found the target. Calangute keeper Selwyn D’Souza received the man-of-the match award.
