G.O.A ROLLING TROPHY
AVC, DBO, UFC AND SANTOS UNITED IN SEMIS
In quarter final matches played last Friday, Don Bosco Oratory, AVC and UFC booked their places in the semi finals to join Santos United who had already qualified a week earlier in the prestigious GOA Rolling Trophy organized by Goan Overseas Association (Kuwait) and played at the MOH grounds under the auspices of KIFF.
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| Santos United in Semi after beating UGC in the quarters |
In the first quarter final, United Friends Club (UFC) with a host of talented players finally came good when they beat Skynet Raiders 1-0. The first half was evenly played with Joe Gomes of Skynet Raiders coming close to scoring in the 26th minute when his goalmouth strike sailed just over the bar. Duarte Ferrao of UFC however scored the all important goal in the 28th minute when his neatly taken free kick sailed over the Skynet wall and into the goal. Skynet Raiders made all efforts to equalize in the second half with the last fifteen minutes being completed dominated by them, but UFC held on, with veteran Britto pulling of a brilliant save to deny Skynet Raiders the equalizer. IFRA official Sarto Baptista was the centre referee and supported by Tiago and Pascoal on the lines.
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| UFC to play Don Bosco Oratory in the semis |
In the second quarter final, Don Bosco Oratory easily defeated YRC Rising Stars 5-1 in a match they completely dominated right from the beginning. Ronnie opened the flood gates when he tapped in a cross in the 11th minute and Nikhil was in the right place to score in the 19th and 22nd minute of the first half. Franky Oliveria’s long distance goal and Steven Correa’s goal n the dying minutes of the game ensured Don Bosco passage into the semis against United Friends Club as strong favorites. Godwin Fernandes who came in as a super sub pulled one back for Rising Stars in the second half. The match was officiated by Tiago Fernandes with support from Simon and Francis on the lines.
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| Favorites Don Bosco Oratory |
In the last match of the day, Curtorcares who have played some exciting soccer this season were again unfortunate to lose to AVC the season’s champions 0-1. The first half was evenly balanced with the ball mostly confined to midfield play. Agnelo Martin of AVC who has been the player to watch this season however ensured his team qualified for the semis when he connected well from a cross and end the season’s campaign for Curtorcares. Pascoal Fernandes was the centre referee and assisted by Simon and Tiago on the lines.
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| Season's Champions will play Santos United in the semi finals |
Earlier last week, Santos United became the first team to qualify for the semi finals when they easily beat United Goans Centre 2-0, with both goals scored in the first half by Seby Fernandes and Anthony Rego.
Coming Friday, 9th May 2014 AVC will play Santos United at 6:45am in the first semi final and Don Bosco Oratory will play United Friends Club at 8:45am in the second one.
Report & pics by Julio Cardoso
