MARGAO
St Anthony's Sports Club, Colva got the better of Ambelim Sports Club 3-2 to storm into the semi-finals of All Goa Cana Benaulim Panchayat Cup inter village football tournament organized by Cana Benaulim Sporting Association at St John the Baptist Dando ground, Benaulim on Sunday. St Anthony's were leading 2-1 at half time.
St Anthony's showed great creativity in the opening session with striker Sneeden Rodrigues being the thorn in the rival defence as he harassed the opposition backline with speed and dash. St Anthony's broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Jaslon Correia was fouled by Primson Fernandes inside the box and referee awarded a spot kick which was taken by Maxon Fernandes, who sent the rival goalkeeper the wrong way.
The early goal boosted the morale of Colva lads as they mounted more pressure on the rival goal and scored the insurance goal in the 22nd minute when Jaslon Correia beat the rival goalkeeper with a rasping shot off a well measured cross from Joston Pereira. Down by 0-2, Ambelim regrouped quickly and took the fight to the rival camp and five minutes before long whistle, Jade Colaco beat the rival goalkeeper with a neat finish.
Crossing over, St Anthony's continued to enjoy better ball possession and made a couple of sorties against the rival goal but it yielded no result. Ambelim pressed more men upfront in search of equalizer and conceded another goal when striker Sneeden Rodrigues added his name on the scorers' list soon after the resumption. Stunned again, Ambelim went into the attacking mode and midway in the second half Raymond Fernandes reduced the margin. St Anthony's suffered a jolt when Ryan Fernandes was ejected by the referee for dangerous play.
