MARGAO
Veteran striker Rosario Mithun Carvalho's smart header enabled hosts Cuncolim Union to pip hot favourites United Club of Palolem 1-0 and storm into the finals of South Goa McDowell's No. 1 Yaari Premiere Cup inter village football tournament organised by Cuncolim Union at Government Village School Playground, Cuncolim on Monday.
United Club of Palolem made a tentative start as Cuncolim Union did well to close down the Palolem attackers and midfielders in the initial period of the game. Egged on by the home crowd, Cuncolim Union slowly started probing the Palolem defence. They struck the match winner in the 27th minute through Rosario Carvalho. Striker Nilesh Velip unleashed a snap shot and rival defender Clemmy Dias headed the ball but the rebound fell to Nilesh who floated the ball and striker Rosario nicely headed the ball home amid the applause of Cuncolim supporters.
Stung the revesal, United Club of Palolem ‘s responded with a series of raids. Playmaker Terence Lobo came close to levelling the scores but Cuncolim Union goalkeeper Sohail Shaikh came to his side's rescue, fisting away the ball from danger. At the other end, Cuncolim Union came close in increasing their tally when striker Rosario lifted the ball above the rival goalkeeper but Nilesh shot wide from close range.
When the play resumed, the momentum was clearly with United Club of Paloelm with their forwards displaying characteristic sharp play and Terence kept spraying passes while falling back to retrieve before venturing on another foray. United Club of Palolem were unlucky when Terrence's powerful shot kissed the crossbar after the rival goalkeeper was caught napping. With time running out, United Club of Palolem made some concerted efforts to break the rival defence but Cuncolim Union eventually trooped home narrow 1-0 winners. Rosario Carvalho was adjudged as the Man of the match and received the prize from chief guest Mahendra Shirbhate, Team Leader, South Goa of United Spirits Ltd.
Cuncolim Union will now clash with Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club in the final on August 20.
