COLVA
With two minutes left for the final whistle hosts Goa were trailing by a goal and staring at a possible loss at the hands of Lakshadweep in the semi-finals of the National Games Beach Soccer event at Colva beach.
On Tuesday, on the silvery sands of Colva, a dramatic turn out happened all for the sake of the hosts team with the Goan boys turning the match upside down in their favor.
With the capacity crowd roaring for goals, the Bruno Coutinho-coached boys did not disappoint, they scored three goals and conceded one with two minutes left for the match, to make it to the final with a 7-5 score line.
On Wednesday, Goa will take on Kerala in the final at 4.30 pm, who defeated Punjab in the other semifinal, while the third place match will take place at 3 pm.
Goa started on an impressive note, with Pedro Antonio Gonsalves and Carl Joshua D’Souza scored early goals for the hosts to give a 3-0 lead by the end of the three minutes.
Lakshadweep struck five times to make it 5-3 by the end of 17 minutes with Mirsad, Aboohuraira, scoring two goals apiece and Mohammed Thahir getting their names on the score sheet.
Carl pulled one back for Goa in the 20th minute to make it 5-4. Thereafter Lakshadweep defended and kept the Goans at bay and their goalkeeper Azeez brought about some superlative saves while on some occasions Goans took hasty shots at goal.
With anxiety level running high for the passionate Goan fans, they restored parity with a spot kick decision with Pedro successfully converting from the spot.
A minute later, he added one more goal and his fourth of the match while Kashinath Subhash Rathod put the issue beyond doubt. In between Haseeb scored but Goa had the last laugh.
Coach Bruno credited the team for the success in the semifinal and said they will go out for a win in the final against Kerala.
“Full credit to the boys and the fighting spirit they have shown,” said the former India captain.
“Against Kerala we will go all out for a win,” he added.
Goa Football Association President Dr Caitano Fernandes complimented the boys for the great fight back and said the win is for the entire state.
“These wins I would like to dedicate to all the sports loving people of Goa especially the football lovers. Full credit to the coach Bruno Coutinho and the support staff and all other coaches working with him.” he said.
