PANAJI
FC Goa and Kerala Blasters FC booked their spots in the final of the inaugural Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy following contrasting victories in their respective semi-finals on Thursday.
Kerala Blasters edged past Sesa FA 1-0 in a tense encounter. The match remained goalless for much of the first half, with Sesa FA suffering a setback early on when key player Omkar Shetgaonkar was forced off injured. The Blasters' custodian produced a string of saves to deny Sesa FA any clear-cut chances. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 83rd minute when Thingujam Singh found the net for Kerala Blasters, securing a narrow but crucial win.
However, the path to victory was not without its obstacles for Kerala Blasters FC. Sesa FA displayed resilience and determination throughout the match, creating several opportunities of their own. Early in the game, Sesa FA suffered a setback as Omkar Shetgaonkar was forced off the field due to injury, making way for Clencio Pinto.
Despite the setback, Sesa FA continued to push forward, with players like Sankalp Kankonkar and Shirdharnath testing the Kerala Blasters custodian with their efforts on goal. Beckham Singh came close to breaking the deadlock with a curling corner kick, only to be denied by an acrobatic save from the Kerala goalkeeper.
In the second semis, FC Goa had to thank their keeper Bob Jackson, who produced a match-winning performance in the shootout saving two penalties. For Cortalim, Clive Miranda and Vikram scored while FC Goa netted through Deeshank, Malsawmtluanga and Laltlanzov.
The first half saw both teams battling fiercely to gain the upper hand. Cortalim Villagers launched an early assault, with Saeesh Harlankar coming close to breaking the deadlock with a header that narrowly missed the target. However, FC Goa's defense held firm, thwarting their opponents' advances. In the 42nd minute, FC Goa launched a counterattack, with Malsawmtluanga unleashing a powerful shot that was expertly collected by the Cortalim goalkeeper, ensuring the score remained level heading into halftime.
As the second half kicked off, FC Goa's Coach Deggie made a strategic move to bolster their attacking lineup, introducing Saviour Gama on the left flank. The substitution injected fresh energy into FC Goa's offense, putting pressure on the Cortalim defense. In the 57th minute, Cortalim's Denil Rebello delivered a dangerous cross from a corner kick, setting up Bersal Viegas for a powerful half-volley that rattled the woodwork, narrowly missing the target.
Despite FC Goa's continued efforts to break the deadlock, Cortalim remained resilient, thwarting their opponents' attacks. With seven minutes of added time and the score still tied at 0-0, Cortalim's coach Jude made a bold decision to switch goalkeepers, bringing Francis Vincent into the fray in preparation for a penalty shootout.
As the tension reached its peak, the match was ultimately decided by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. FC Goa's goalkeeper Bob Raj emerged as the hero of the hour, pulling off a series of stunning saves to deny Cortalim's Bersal Viegas and Dhanushraj, while Denil Rebello's effort struck the woodwork. On the other hand, FC Goa's Lalthangliana was unfortunate to hit the crossbar, but Laltlanzova, Malsawmtluanga, and Deeshank Kunkoliakar kept their composure to slot home their penalties, securing FC Goa's triumph in the shootout.
Both FC Goa and Kerala Blasters will be aiming to lift the inaugural trophy in what promises to be a thrilling final.
