MARGAO
Nuvem SC showed nerves of steel as they booked their place in the finals of the 24th Fr Basilio Andrade Memorial Tournament, edging past St Anthony’s FC Assolda 8-7 in a nail-biting penalty shootout to set up a mouthwatering clash with CAC Cansaulim.
Assolda drew first blood within seconds of kickoff when Sunny Fernandes unleashed a speculative long-range effort that took a wicked deflection, completely wrong-footing the Nuvem keeper and nestling into the back of the net.
Moments later, Assolda nearly doubled their advantage when a corner swung towards the back post was nodded back into danger by Milroy Clemente, but none of his teammates could capitalise as the ball drifted harmlessly out for a goal kick.
At the other end, Hudson Dias almost gifted Assolda a golden opportunity after a scuffed clearance fell straight to their striker. However, the forward hesitated at the crucial moment, giving Hudson enough time to recover and make a heroic block.
Nuvem’s response came in spectacular fashion. Royston Mascarenhas showed dazzling footwork inside the box”sending two defenders the wrong way”before rifling his shot past the helpless keeper to level the score just before halftime.
After the break, Nuvem carried their momentum forward. Alvito Dias slipped a precise pass through to Albino Pereira, but his attempted chip flew well off target. Nuvem kept pushing and came close again when a corner to the far post found Shenoy Colaco, whose volley was only denied by a last-ditch clearance from an Assolda defender.
As the clock ticked down, Alton Vaz almost produced late drama for Assolda with a dipping volley that bounced awkwardly in front of the keeper, forcing a fingertip save. Seconds later, Fhezer Gomes tried his luck from distance, his grounded strike skimming just wide of the far post.
With nothing to separate the sides, the match was decided from the spot. Nuvem held their composure brilliantly”converting seven of their eight penalties”to seal their passage into the final.
Richard Fernandes of St Anthony’s FC Assolda was named Man of the Match, with the award presented by Costantino Antao, former A.A. de Majorda Utorda Calata president and player.
