MARGAO
SJ de Areal Sports Club booked their place in the finals of the Areal Panchayat Cup after a nail-biting 6–5 victory over Cuncolim Union via a tie-breaker in the first semi-final, held at the Padribhat ground, Sao Jose de Areal, on Saturday. The tournament is being organised by Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club.
A closely contested encounter saw the teams locked 1-1 at full-time after a goalless first half.
Cuncolim Union broke the deadlock in the 36th minute of the second half when Wilson Fernandes capitalised on a goal-mouth scramble to slot the ball past Areal keeper Astroy Costa.
However, SJ de Areal responded swiftly, levelling the score in the 50th minute through a well-executed move. Daryl Costa delivered a precise cross into the box, which was clinically finished by his teammate to make it 1-1.
With no further goals in regulation time, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout.
SJ de Areal converted five of their spot-kicks through Bersal Viegas, Aggio Antao, Josley Gomes, Aryan Carvalho and Velan Soares.
For Cuncolim Union, Jollyton Fernandes, Viraj Velip, Shankar Gawnder and Sachin Prabakar found the net, but it wasn’t enough to see them through.
Astroy Costa was named Man of the Match for his impressive goalkeeping during regulation play and for saving a crucial penalty in the shootout. He received the award from former international and SJ de Areal’s own Bento Andrew.
