MARGAO
Sao Jose de Areal SC edged past Uguem Rising Club 2-1 to move to the quarter-finals of the 17th All Goa Guirdolim Panchayat Cup, organised by Guirdolim Club, at Chandor Church Sports Complex, on Tuesday.
The match started with Areal dictating terms and exerting pressure on the Uguem defence. In the 10th minute, Listen D'Costa on receiving the ball from Monty Valadares saw the Uguem goalkeeper standing off the goal line and lobbed the ball over and into the back of the net to give Areal the lead.
Stung by the early goal, Uguem lads regrouped and went on the offensive but their strikers couldn't convert any chances. Monty Valadares was once again in the thick of action for Areal when his long ball over the Uguem defence found Jeston with space to easily round up the Uguem keeper and double Areal's lead in the 14th minute. At the breather, Areal lead by 2-0.
After change of ends, Uguem rose to the occassion putting Areal on the defensive and pulled a goal back in the 40th minute through Asiyo to make the score 2-1. In the 55th minute, Monty of Areal almost scored off a free-kick but the Uguem keeper tipped the ball out of play diving full length. Although Uguem tried their best to equalise the Areal defence led by Navil stood firm and did not cave in to the pressure.
Monty Valadares of Sao Jose de Areal SC was awarded the man of the match by Orlando Dias, Ex Captain of Guirdolim Club.
