The Goan Network
MARGAO
Ponda Veterans prevailed over Chinchinim Veterans 3-0 in the tie-breaker to enter the semi-finals of the 16th VM Salgaocar Memorial Veterans Soccer organised by Prime Sports Club and played at St John the Baptist ground, Dando Benaulim on Saturday.
Ponda was the dominant side and still after wasting several scoring chances prevailed easily over their rivals largely due to the excellent goalkeeping by Alvaro Dias in the shoot out.
Ponda made several forays into the Chinchinim area but were let down by some inept shooting from striker Vishant Pednekar and Santan Furtado. Chinchinim were mostly on the defensive with defender Yuri Ferrrao and Augustino Dias working hard to contain their rival attacks. Ponda wasted another gilt-edged chance close to the final whistle when substitute striker Martino Pereira blasted wide with only
rival goalkeeper Liberio Menezes at his mercy.
In the ensuing tie-breaker Vishant Pednekar, Sheikh Niazi and Ramesh Palkar made no mistake for Ponda Veterans while the efforts of Yuri Ferrao, Krishna Shirodhkar and Augustine Dias of Chinchinim Veterans were saved by the unbeatable Alvaro Dias to take his team into the semis.
Laxmidas Mangeshkar, Stadium Manager, PJN Fatorda was the chief guest and was introduced to both the teams by the club officials Boaventura Leitao, Remedios Ferrao and Jacklson Rebello while Anthony Rodrigues, Organizing secretary,delivered the welcome speech.
