MARGAO
Title aspirants Navelim Sporting edged past a spirited Ambelim Sports Club 3-2 in a tiebreaker to enter the semifinals of the Jaju Memorial Trophy football tournament organised by Young Strikers Benaulim at St John Baptist ground, Dando Benaulim on Saturday.
Navelim goalkeeper Jeet Gupta was the hero of the match as he saved two penalties in the shootout to take his team through to the semis. It was a tale of two halves with Navelim dominating in the first session while Ambelim held the upper hand in the second half.
Sadroy Costa should have opened the scoring for Navelim but the striker shot wide with only rival goalkeeper Ozen Silva to beat in the 16th minute. Navelim -- powered on by Clinton Niasso in the midfield -- wasted another chance when Prestly Gomes fumbled. Ambelim regrouped after the restart but substitute Nash Pinto ballooned over from inside the box after he was fed on a platter by Jeniton Silva. Ambelim goalkeeper Ozen made two crucial saves to keep the score blank.
In the tiebreaker, Navelim scored through Clinton Niassso, Velinton Silva, and Terence Miranda but Myron Gomes shot wide. For Ambelim only Richard Fernandes and Ben Fernandes found the mark while the efforts of Velroy Fernandes and Perryson Fernandes were blocked by Navelim goalkeeper Jeet Gupta.
