Goa emerge victorious in epic semi-final

Five time champions Goa showed great resilience and character to comeback from a goal down on two separate occasions to turn the tables on high-flying Jharkhand in an epic semi final of the u-21 Nationals which eventually ended on penalties after both teams were dead-locked at 3-3 at the final whistle.

 

Spectators at the at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium were in for a real treat as Goa opened the scoring as early as the 22nd minute thanks to a clinical header by Daison Casif Cardozo off a corner. 

 

Jharkhand’s equalizer came in the dying seconds of injury time at the end of the first half as Shaikh Mustakim bundled in the rebound after the Goa custodian Bruno Colaco pulled off a reflexive save off a crisp strike by tournament sensation Robin Singh.

 

Jharkand went ahead in the second period following a Abdul Rajak Shaikh tap-in off a corner before second half substitute Joston Pereira pulled Goa on level terms with an 80th minute equalizer.

 

With the tie evenly poised at 2-2 and seemingly heading to the dreaded shoot-out, Jharkand took the lead right at the death – the 91st minute, to be precise. Robin Singh’s thunderous drive from the edge of the area left the keeper with no chance as it crashed into the top corner to put the boys ahead with only seconds to go and victory in sight.

 

There would be more drama before the referee signaled for full time as Goa regrouped and netted a 93rd minute equalizer. Following an inviting cross by Boston from the flank, midfielder Valzino was at hand to tap home from close range and send the game into penalties.

 

Subsequently, two beautiful saves by Bruno under the bar for Goa in the shoot-out proved sufficient as the boys ran out 4-2 winners and booked their place in the final.

 

Goa will now take on debutant finalists Haryana on Feb 28 for a shot at their sixth title.