MARGAO: St Anthony SC Assolda booked their place in the final of the 20th Super Soccer Inter Village Football Tournament after edging Xetrapal SC Siolim 6-5 via tie-breaker, at the St John the Baptist Panchayat Ground, Benaulim. The tournament is being organised by United Club Benaulim.
Assolda began cautiously, retaining possession and patiently building attacks, while Xetrapal stayed compact at the back, frustrating every move. As the contest gathered pace, both teams enjoyed spells of dominance but failed to create a clear breakthrough, with the first half ending goalless.
After the restart, Siolim looked more adventurous as Aryan Vaingankar and Shervin Lobo combined well with Chandrakant Shirodkar and Yash Simepurushkar, creating several promising openings. However, their finishing lacked precision, with efforts either sailing wide or being comfortably gathered by Assolda goalkeeper Mickey Dias. Assolda also threatened on the counter but found the Siolim defence equally determined. The closing stages turned into a tactical midfield battle, with neither side willing to overcommit as the semifinal headed towards penalties.
The shootout proved equally dramatic. The decisive moment came when Assolda custodian Mickey Dias brilliantly denied Brandon Pereira from the spot, paving the way for a 6-5 win.
For his match-winning save and commanding display throughout the contest, goalkeeper Mickey Dias was adjudged Man of the Match. He received the award from Manoj Kesarkar, Panchayat Member and football enthusiast from Benaulim.
