MARGAO
CAC Cansaulim booked their place in the finals of the 24th Fr Basilio Andrade Memorial Football Tournament with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Curtorim Gymkhana at the Musson ground, Majorda.
Cansaulim struck early when Slevin D’Mello switched play beautifully to Domnic Soares, who showed great composure to lob the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper and give his side the lead.
Curtorim nearly equalised soon after when a moment of confusion between Cidroy D’Souza and goalkeeper Fransisco Monteiro left the goal gaping. Veron Fernandes rose highest to meet the loose ball, but his header lacked power, allowing Fransisco just enough time to scramble back and make the save, much to the relief of the Cansaulim defence.
Curtorim’s Anslem Fernandes then tried his luck with a majestic volley, but his effort flew well wide. Cansaulim, meanwhile, had a golden chance to double their advantage when Alrico Cardozo and Ashwin Fernandes broke through on goal. Alrico unselfishly squared it to Ashwin, but Placio Hilario pulled off an unbelievable save, throwing everything at it to keep his side in contention.
Rahy Dias came agonisingly close to equalising for Curtorim with a powerful header that seemed destined for the bottom corner, only for Fransisco Monteiro to dive full stretch and deny him brilliantly. Anslem later found himself one-on-one with Fransisco, but a quick-thinking Cansaulim defender rushed back just in time to narrow the angle and prevent the shot.
As the game neared its end, Chadwick Furtado tried to put the result beyond doubt with a thunderous long-range strike, but Placio once again came to Curtorim’s rescue, tipping the ball over the bar with a sensational fingertip save.
Despite Curtorim’s defeat, goalkeeper Placio Hilario’s heroics between the posts did not go unnoticed, as he was adjudged Man of the Match with the award presented by Joaquim Godinho, president of the club.
