margao
Both the teams started the game on an attacking note and United Club of Nerul had a golden chance to surge ahead but striker Yeshwant out-paced his markers and fumbled in front of the rival goal mouth in the very 1st minute.
After minor hiccups, St Anthony's striker Joel was in the heart of the rival penalty box the former picked the ball from Pusparaj's well-measured cross.
Thereafter St Anthony's, conjured three scoring opportunities but first rival goalkeeper Sidesh Morje comfortably collected Sahil's shot. Then came a timely brilliant save by rival goalkeeper following a splendid volley from Joel in the
ninth minute.
St Anthony's showed ascendancy in the remaining period of the first half when Joel's well-executed free kick was acrobatically saved by rival goalkeeper Sidesh Morje in the 15th minute. Videsh Chari's well-executed flag-kick saw Glen blow away a smart header with only rival goalkeeper to beat.
St Anthony's were unlucky when striker Joel outwitted a couple of defenders as Anthony thwarted him from scoring. United Club of Nerul slowly struck rhythm and called the shots against the rival citadel. Sanket Jotkar who deceived rival defenders with speed and dash, however he failed to beat the rival goalkeeper in a one to one situation.
Nerul were unlucky when Sanket's shot deflect from a rival defender and went out for an abortive flag kick. Later, Russel's header missed the target narrowly via flag kick taken by Jackson.
St Anthony's continued in the same fashion as United Club of Nerul were forced to resort to desperate defending in their own half for most part. Although, Nerul attempted to catch their opponents off guard on the counter several times, they were thwarted by an alert rival defence.
In the 55th minute, Aldrich floater saw Videsh Chari inside the rival penalty area but the last named fumbled. With time running out, Nerul had upped the ante and nearly found the match-winner when Jackson's volley was well saved by Siolim goalkeeper.
In the tie-breaker, Lincoln, Anthony, Russel and Bhavesh were on target for Nerul while Claudio was lone scorer for St Anthony's.
Vinoda Paliencar, WRD & Fisheries Minister was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of guest of honour Suraj Shrivastava, Deputy General Manager, Diageo, Kshitiji Shetye, Marketing Manager and Rajnish Mishra, team leader,North Diageo. The tournament was organized by VJT Arts,
Chinchinim.
