MARGAO
Sesa FA edged past Youth Club of Manora 2-1 to move ahead in the 18th edition of the Goa Police Football Cup, organised by Goa Police Sports Cell, at Ella ground, Old Goa, on Friday.
The game began with end-to-end play as both teams looked good going forward. Early on, Sesa's Kunal Salgaonkar was in a one-on-one situation towards the goal, only for Manora keeper Karol Soares to deny him and the shot was cleared away by a defender.
Sesa enjoyed a lot of possession going forward but failed to create any promising chances upfront. At the half-hour mark, Manora's Sweden Barbosa breezed past a few defenders and struck a powerful shot which was parried away for a corner by the Sesa keeper. At the other end, Sesa's Faheez Mohammed struck a powerful shot which was palmed away by Manora's keeper.
Just before the break, Sesa keeper Roanal Gaunkar palmed away a low cross which fell into the path of Sweden whose strike was denied by Sesa keeper with a reflex save. In the 55th minute, Sesa's Janak had a chance to give his team the lead, only for his strike to be denied by Karol with his outstretched feet. Subsequently, Sesa's Aston Rodriguez shot over from close.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 75th minute. Sesa's Kunal was brought down by Manora keeper Karol inside the penalty box to concede a penalty. In the resultant spot kick, Shridharnath Gawas sent the rival keeper the wrong way to make it 1-0 for Sesa. Five minutes later, Sesa doubled their advantage as Sandeep sent in a perfect cross towards Kunal, which was controlled and placed home at the far post.
In the 87th minute, Cliffon Cardozo brought down Bechkham Singh in the penalty box. However, Bechkham's penalty was saved by Roanal. Just before the final whistle, Manora were awarded a penalty and Elden Colaco managed to pull a goal back.
The Man of the match prize was awarded to Sesa's Kunal Salgaonkar.
Chapora stun Churchill
Chapora Yuvak Sangh shocked Churchill Brothers 4-2 via tiebreaker to enter the semifinals of the Goa Police Football Cup at Duler stadium, Mapusa on Friday.
The match ended in a goalless draw and a penalty shootout was enforced where Chapora scored through Stephen Martins, Dimesh Morjkar, Akshay Dabholkar and Harshad Gaonkar. For Churchill Brothers, only Richard Costa and Lalawmpuia Sailo scored.
Chapora keeper Soma Korgaonkar received his second Man of the match award.
