MARGAO
Following their two straight wins, Churchill Bros coach Joao Rebello opted to rest skipper Clifford Miranda and Aniston Fernandes as he started with young Quan Gomes and Joshua Vaz, while SCC Cavelossim coach Moises D’Sa and Richard Fernandes replaced Aaren Silva and RaymanFernandes. In the first minute, Moises tried a long range shot at the Churchill Bros goal which deflected off a rival defender and went out for a corner. Moises tried to justify his selection in the team as he tested Churchill Bros keeper Ricardo Cardozo in the resultant corner kick.
Cavelossim players showed attacking intent as they constantly pressed into the rival half. The Varca team looked vulnerable in defence and finally succumbed to Bersal Viegas’ diving header off a corner kick in the seventh minute. The goal lit up the Cavelossim camp as they dominated the first quarter.
Churchill Bros keeper Ricardo had a busy day under the bar as he first “denied Moises strike and later blocked FranzilNegredo’s effort. In the 17th minute, Cavelossim’sSuraj saw his effort narrowly miss the target. Bersal almost scored his brace when his curl shot beat the rival keeper, but his effort missed the mark by millimetres.
Churchill coach made a change just before the break as he replaced Quan with Aniston, to find the right rhythm. Cavelossim would have been two goals up before the break if not for Ricardo as the keeper pulled of stunning save to deny Bersal
and Moises.
\SCC Cavelossim led 1-0 at half time. Coming into the second half, the Red Machines had an opportunity to draw level when Franzil fouled Nicholas just outside the box. Much to their dismay, Agnelo’s well executed free-kick came off the cross bar. This was the first real chance of the match for the Varca team.
Minutes later, Churchill Bros Nicholas made a fine run into the opposition half and found Joshua lurking in front of the rival goal, but the latter’s effort was brilliantly blocked by Cavelossim keeper Ozen Silva.
The second half turned out to be the keepers’ half as both the custodians stunned the audience with breathtaking saves. In the 37th minute, Joaquim had the best chance to double the lead when he dribbled past the rival players to set himself on goal, but the lad was denied by diving Ricardo Cardozo. Churchill Bros went with all guns blazing in the final ten minutes of the game. In the 51st minute, Semsom saw his close range shot brush the side netting.
After much pressing, the Churchill Bros scored the leveller from the flag kick, only to be disallowed by the officials as SCC Cavelossim keeper was obstructed by Churchill Bros player. In the dying minutes of the game, Ozen turned the saviour for his team as he denied Joshua with possibly one of the best saves of the tournament; to give his side a 1-0 win. Ozen bagged the Man-of-the-Match award for his heroics in the match.
