MARGAO
Sporting Club Davorlim blanked Curtorim Gymkhana 2-0 to enter the semifinals of the VM Salgaocar Memorial Invitational Inter Village Football Tournament organised by Prime SC in association with Margao SC at St John Baptist ground, Dando Benaulim on Thursday.
Curtorim had to blame themselves for the early exit after missing a string of chances while Davorlim -- who were at the receiving end for most of the time -- netted through Royson Colaco and Selwyn Miranda to book their place in the semifinals.
Curtorim got off to a fast start and should have been in front in the 12th minute when Mackson Fernandes found his strike partner Joy Hilario on the top of the box but the burly forward shot high over the crossbar. A couple of minutes later, Joy took a short pass from Milagres Fernandes and pushed the ball to an unmarked Mackson, who tamely shot into the hands of Davorlim goalkeeper Francis Colaco.
Davorlim had another great escape close to the lemon break when defender Ali Khan cleared the ball on the goaline following a low shot by Mackson Fernandes. Curtorim continued their profligacy in front of the rival goal as Caitano Viegas found Mackson with a long pass in the area but the forward, with only Davorlim goalkeeper Francis at his mercy, lobbed the ball over the crosspiece six minutes after the restart.
After weathering the storm, Davorlim finally managed to get out of the shell and went ahead on a blistering counterattack in the 56th minute when midfielder Adarsh Raj sent Royson Colaco through with a deft pass to advance forward and shot past Curtorim goalkeeper Christo Hilario.
Davorlim, boosted by the lead, got the second when Curtorim defender Savio Piexoto brought down Reeve D'Costa inside the box for referee Mario Pereira to point to the penalty spot. Winger Selwyn Miranda easily converted the spot kick to complete the win.
Earlier, special guests, Benaulim Dy Sarpanch Glyda Rodrigues and panch Diella Fernandes, were introduced to the teams by Solon Furtado.
