The Hindu : Sport : Salgaocar enters semifinals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 26, 2005

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Salgaocar enters semifinals

S.R. Suryanarayan

— Photo: R. Ragu

MIDFIELD DUEL: Salgaocar's Samson Singh (centre) and Nicholas Colaco of Vasco engaged in a keen tussle.

MARGAO: Traditional Goan rivals Salgaocar and Vasco fought it out in a no-holds barred contest without a result at the end of regulation time. However, two goals in extra time helped Salgaocar emerge 3-1 winner, leaving Vasco a crestfallen lot as the quarterfinal phase in the Alchemist-27th Federation Cup football tournament ended here on Tuesday.

The play in the final phase slipped to rough tackles with Caitan Costa getting marching orders for hitting Samson Singh. Earlier Samson Singh got the 94th mt goal and then later in the 112th mt when he was brought down by Costa, Francis Andrade converted the resultant penalty. Tension reached a break point thereafter with Costa paying the price for indiscretion.

There was drama and excitement but none bargained for those seemingly dreadful moments of an ambulance driving onto the turf. Ten minutes past the second session, Salgaocar skipper Remus Gomes suffered a fall that looked nasty. There were frantic gestures for medical attention suggesting an emergency. Soon he was driven out all in a swift and methodical way in keeping with the stringent requirement after that tragedy last year in Bangalore. And information later trickled in that all was well with the player.

But on the turf the struggle for supremacy, for that elusive match winner turned to naught in the hectic 90-minute session.

It is the sign of changing times, perhaps of changing equations in Indian football that in this edition there were five teams from Goa in the last eight. So then for the second day running it was the Goan flair to the fore. The rivalry being between two traditional teams the support groups too had strengthened, giving the ambience that football in this region is famous for.

With a 3-1 victory margin that Vasco had carved over Salgaocar in the Goan pro-league recently, the settings were perfect for a rousing contest. The focus was on that wonderful Brazilian talent, Fabio Passos but the initial efforts from Salgaocar side failed to see his involvement. Rather he gave the impression of being ignored. More than once he raised his arms in despair but the right-wing orientation in the Salgaocar's attacking scheme was a surprising let down for him in those initial moments.

Fabio touch

Came the 12th minute and Fabio's touch found the passage. The Brazilian progressed with the ball from near touch line, switched it to Jerose Oliveira nearing the box. The latter's mild try took defender Nicholas Colaco's hand. `Penalty' signalled Referee Walter Pereira dismissing the mild protest from Vasco players. Francis Andrade slotted the ball without a fuss to Salgaocar ahead.

The team that sent Mohun Bagan out, Vasco was not to lie low. With Denis Cabral mobilising the resources, now here now there and also taking free kicks with deftness, the fight had only begun.

Salgaocar's fears turned true two minutes past the half hour when a combination of Cabral and Anthony Fernandes had Sangram Mukherjee caught in a bind. The goalkeeper failed to grasp the ball and Rovan Pereira charged in to make the kill. Salgaocar should still have changed ends with a lead if only Samson had not shot over an open chance, a minute before half time.

Soon the dramatic moment of an ambulance rushing to the ground gave a new twist to the contest.

Wednesday's match: Semifinal: Mahindra United, Mumbai v Churchill Brothers, Goa, 7 p.m.

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