MARGAO
Rossman Cruz Nagoa Sports Club prevailed over CAC, Cansaulim 8-6 via tiebreaker to storm into the semi-finals of All Goa 4th Shooting Stars Cup inter village football tournament, organized by Margao Sports Club in association with Shooting Stars Sports Club, Colleavaddo-Assolna, at Ambelim ground on Friday.
In an even contest, both the teams displayed attacking soccer and CAC took the lead in the fifth minute when diminutive striker Agnelo D'Souza picked up the ball from his own half and unleashed a snap shot that crashed into the net, giving no chance to the rival goalkeeper. Spurred on by the early lead, CAC tormented the rival defence with well-orchestrated raids and Nagoa citadel fell a second time in the sixth minute when Jovito Baretto punished the rival goalkeeper with a neat finish.
Down by the double blows, Rossman Cruz regrouped quickly and reduced the margin in the 12th minute when striker Savio Fernandes scored with a stiff grounder. The equaliser boosted the morale of Nagoa players as they mounted pressure on the rival citadel and their efforts bore the fruit in the 20th minute as Vijay Ferrao put them on equal terms. Stunned by the equalizer, CAC Cansualim went into the attacking mode and Savio Fernandes made it 3-2 late in the first half.
Post resumption, Rossman Cruz put up an improved display and launched a flurry of attacks and Savio Fernandes scored with stiff grounder to make it 4-2. The Cansualim team then launched a terrific pace and called the shots against the rival goal and their efforts bore the fruit when Rosario Baretto reduced the deficits. With time running out, CAC went all out in search of equalizer and pressed more men upfront when Jovito Barretto cancelled the lead. However, Rossman Cruz had last laugh in the tie-breaker.
