Vasco upset Cavelossim

MARGAO: Vasco Sports Club shunted out Santa Cruz Club of Cavelolssim 4-3 via the tie-breaker to storm into the quarter-finals of Pool D of the preliminary round of 127th edition of Durand Cup football tournament at 3MTR ground, Navelim, Tuesday. There was no score at the end of regulation period.

Vasco played a fine tactical game under the eyes of coach Mathew D’Costa and had edge over their opponents especially in the opening sessions. They conjured good scoring opportunities as early moments of the game but winger Jerose Olveira spurn the easiest chance with only Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim goalkeeper Ram Saroop at his mercy, he blasted wide much to the disbelief of Vasco supporters. Thereafter, Vasco conjured opportunities. First, Quan Gomes’ volley was well taken care by Cavelossim goalkeeper Saroop and then, Jerose’s rasping shot was collected by Cavelossim goalkeeper Saroop.

At the back, Naveen Mendes and Amar Halankar were stubborn at the back and never allowed their opponents attackers to manoeuvre inside their territory.

The second half showed Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim in better light as Vasco Sports Club lost the zeal and allowed Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim to fire all cylinders. Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim created umpteen scoring chances Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim came close to scoring soon after resumption when striker James Fernandes moved menacingly inside the rival penalty box but Vasco central defender Agnelo Baretto at nick time off Richard Colaco through pass. This served a wake up call to Vasco Sports Club who replied with counter attacks when Jerose Olveira found ideally placed Aniston Fernandes who without wasting no time unleashed a stiff shot was equally parried away by Cavelossim goalkeeper Saroop for an abortive flag kick.

Vasco goalkeeper Francis Fernandes came the timely saves to deny striker Richard Colaco sure goal and later again Richard Colaco failed to beat Vasco Sports Club goalkeeper Francis Fernandes after he was being put on the platter by Esteven Fernandes.

With time running out, Vasco Sports Club went all out in search of elusive match winner in the dying minutes, substitute striker Agnelo D’Souza was the worst culprit as he spurn the easiest chances of the day. First, Samson Fernandes snap shot fisted Away by Cavelossim goalkeeper Ram Saroop at the path of Agnelo D’Souza who blasted wide from hand shaking distance and later again he failed to beat rival goalkeeper in a one-to-one situation. In the ensuing penalty shoot-out, Aniston Fernandes, Bosco John Fernandes, Aiken Dias and Naveen Mendes were on target for Vasco Sports Club while Bonnie Niasso, Allwyn Fernandes and Mario Mascarenhas converted for Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim. Garwal Rifles who got a walk-over after Southern Samity failed to turn up now meet Vasco in the quarter-finals on October 24.