PANAJI
Cavelossim Veterans rode on a stellar performance from goalkeeper Manoj Kesarkar to waltz past Quepem Veterans 3-0 in the tiebreaker at the Fifth Pogo Boys 50+ Veterans Cup, on Wednesday.
Quepem showed early promise and should have converted on at least three clear occasions, only to see a resolute Kesarkar deny them time and again. First, Kesarkar denied Jason Cardozo in a one-on-one situation, and then six minutes later, the Cavelossim goalkeeper threw himself at the feet of Camilo Monteiro to keep his goal safe.
Quepem had yet another scoring opportunity deep into the second half, and once again, it was Kesarkar rising to the occasion and guarding the Cavelossim goal to send the match into a tie-breaker. Kesarkar continued his heroics saving all three spot kicks taken to hand Cavelossim the win and a quarterfinal meeting against Verna Veterans next. In Thursday’s first quarterfinal, three-time reigning champions Calangute Veterans will play inaugural edition winners Bardez Veterans at 5 pm.
