the goan I network
MARGAO
FC Goa uncorked champagne stuff as they trounced SAI, Guwahati 3-1 to move into the semifinals of Elite League (U-18) at Don Bosco Oratory Ground, Fatorda on Saturday. FC Goa led 1-0 at the breather. The star of the match was Doyal Alves who scored a brace.
Gavin Araujo’s team took off in an attacking mode and maintained the momentum right through. Strikers Meuton Fernandes and Joybert Almeida combined well with midfielders Romario Da Costa, Brison Fernandes and Asfin Pinto to put the rival defence under tremendous pressure. The defence marshalled by Lesly Rebello, Doyal Alves, Lincoln Colaco and Delzan Passanha kept things tight at the back to frustrate the rival attackers.
In first attacking moves, Asfin Pinto failed to beat the rival goalkeeper in one-on-one situation and later Joybert Almeida shot wide from close. Doyal opened the scoring in the 13th minute when he fired home off a well measured cross from Romario Da Costa.
The early goal helped FC Goa seize the initiative and they asserted midfield supremacy thereon. SAI, Guwahati were on the hunt for an equaliser and FC Goa kept denying them amid relentless pressing from the opponents. Shano Tariang and Swmdwn Damary’s shots were saved by FC Goa goalkeeper Manav Baraskar.
In the 70th minute, Doyal made it 2-0 when he beat SAI Guwahati goalkeeper Birkhang Daimary with a neat finish, off Joybert Almedia’s measured pass. SAI, Guwahati made a comeback as they scored through a spot kick in the 87th minute when Shano Tariang converted from the spot. With a minute left for the final whistle, substitute Jovito Dias made it 3-1 for FC Goa.
Meanwhile, Minerva Punjab FC and Chennaiyin FC progressed from Group B. In Group D, the top three teams were on six points but Aizawl came out on top as they had a better goal difference than second-placed Mohun Bagan. As three teams finished on same points, Real Kashmir had to bow out of the group with the worst goal difference of the three.
Also, FC Pune City beat East Bengal 2-1 to enter the semifinals. Lalddawngkima rocked the Kolkata outfit scoring the opening goal from a snap shot in the 11th minute before scoring again in the 33rd minute. Four minutes later, Srikumar Karajee reduced the margin but Pune protected their one-goal lead in the second half to secure passage to the
next round.
