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PANAJI
Royal Builders defeated Skyla Strikers 3-2 via the tiebreaker in the Sevens Women’s Football Festival organised by Goa Sevens and Ambelim Sports Club played at Ambelim Sports Complex, Ambelim on Thursday.
Both teams having lost their opening games, brought in new feet to boost their line-up. Royal Builders brought in four players, with Mayflower Colaco, Daisy Crasto, Clency Miranda and Leincy Peixoto finding themselves in the line-up. On the other hand, Skyla Strikers brought in Cifa Lima and Medha Prabhu.
The Skyla strikers were the first team to have a look at goal as Valanka D’Souza collected the ball from midfield and ran deep only to find her powerful shot hit the top of the crossbar in the 3rd minute. At the other end, Michel Castanha of the Builders tried her luck from far only to find her strike go a whisker high from the target. While in the next minute, Michel’s shot off a free kick from the edge of the box was swiftly sent for a corner by the Skyla keeper.
Valanka and Janice Gomes looked dangerous for the Skyla side upfront but a strong Michel Castanha at the back cleared the danger balls placed forward. Diasy Crasto had a chance for Royal but she lacked finishing as both sides headed into
half-time goalless.
Post resumption, Royal Builders were quick to score through Michelle Castanha who sent a right-footed screamer into the top right corner.
However, the match was level as Janice Gomes was quick to react to Avia Vas’ initial shot which hit the crossbar. Janice intelligently shot the ball over the goalie to restore parity in the match for Skyla Strikers.
Michelle Castanha looked for another goal from yet another long ranger but this time Skyla Strikers goalkeeper was quick enough to save the ball. Despite all efforts from both sides none of the teams were able to get the winning goal. In the tie-breaker, Dishna Kumar and Mabel Mascarenhas netted their penalties and Michelle Castanha made a decisive save to win the match for Royal Builders, earning the Woman of the match award.
In the second match of the day, Chinchinim Angels beat Black Arrows 3-1 via tiebreaker after both sides played a goalless draw.
Both the sides, having won their first games, began the game on an attacking note. The Chinchinim side had an upper hand in the game with better passing and runs down the flank. The first half witnessed an equal fight but both sides failed to convert. Just before half time, Marlat Cardozo should have given the Angels a lead but the later found her shot blocked by the Arrows keeper Ashika Gadekar.
In the second half, the Black Arrows came out strong in search of the opener as Ansiva Vaz who previously scored a hat trick for her side in the opening game had a chance but her shot landed wide. The Angels kept moving forward through Marlat Cardozo who displayed some fine runs but she found her shots land wide.
Ansiva Vaz’s shot from the left side but her ow strike was tapped away by the diving Chinchinim keeper Joseline D’Souza. The final minutes witnessed both sides try hard to find the all-important goal but both sides failed to convert. In the tiebreaker, Chinchinim Angels scored through Valenie Fernandes, Stessi Cardozo and Joseline D’Souza while the opposition converted through Ansiva Vaz.
