S.R. Suryanarayan
SAMBA MAGIC: Passos (centre) was the fulcrum on which Salgaocar's game plan worked.
MARGAO: Former champion Salgaocar, Goa came up with a pleasing display to outplay Punjab Police 3-1 and sail into the quarterfinals of the Alchemist-27th Federation Cup football tournament at the floodlit Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.
The highlight of the match was the delightful ball play by the Brazilian Fabio Passos, Salgaocar's attacking midfielder, who provided a touch of the Brazilian flair with his one-touch passes and smooth run-ups. Indeed, if Salgaocar had another player of his calibre in the front, Passos would slice through any defence like a knife through butter, such was the silken grace in his play.
Passos scored the opening goal, a wonderful show of opportunism in hiding amongst the rival defenders to nod in a Francis Andrade flag kick (17th minute). But more importantly he was the fulcrum on which Salgaocar's game plan worked.
Police hits back
True Punjab Police proved no match but the sturdy policemen can defend with grit and as skipper Harnek Singh showed also take free-kicks.
The proof came in the 25th minute when Amarjeet Singh earned a free-kick from 35 yards out. Harnek came on, had one good look and slammed a left footer that foxed goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee all ends up.
That equaliser was the farthest Punjab Police could go as events turned out in the second half, which saw Salgaocar dominate completely.
Three minutes past the hour, Passos glued two defenders Amit Kumar and Sarbjeet Singh to him and released the ball for substitute Samson Singh to tap into an empty net. Five minutes later Andrade capped his fine play with a superb curling shot from near the touchline that stole into the cage.
Justice served
Hereabouts Samson successfully fooled Referee Bharat Mani with a feigned fall and earned a penalty. Justice was served when Samson, taking the kick, targeted the post!
Alchemist, the title-sponsor of the tournament, on Saturday announced a cash award of Rs. one lakh, called Alchemist Golden Boot Award to the highest scorer. "This was a modest start of the company into sports sponsorship,'' said R.P. Chauhan, Director of the company at a press meet.
Two-match suspension
Meanwhile, the tournament disciplinary committee has decided to suspend Fransa-Pax goalkeeper Mark Mascarenhas for two matches and impose a fine of Rs. 5,000.
Mascarenhas was red-carded in the Friday's incident-filled match against Mohammedan Sporting on Friday.
The committee took the decision based on the reports of the match officials and video clippings of the incident. The committee also decided not to give any further postings for Arjunan, who officiated the match, in this tournament. Also, Mohammedan Sporting captain Suley Musah has been kept under suspension and a show cause notice has been issued to him. The issue will also be referred to the AIFF's Disciplinary Committee.
Mighty Mohun Bagan had a taste of Vasco's relentless defence as the teams finished goalless at full time to make it the first match to enter the extra-time phase this year. Vasco beat Mohun Bagan 6-5 via tie-breaker and sudden death.
For the glamour outfit, considered a strong contender after Dempo's exit, nothing worked under stress. The credit should go to Vasco, a NFL relegated team but since then having done well in the Goan pro-league. Playing with rare determination and making daring forays into Bagan territory, the local side kept its fans cheering all the way with its collective work.
The Kolkata team began with a bang, straightaway gaining the upperhand in exchanges. But the trouble came when opportunities went abegging. Thomba Singh started it with a shot over the bar, the Nigerian Akeem Abolanle proceeded to head over from six yards after the Brazilian Eduardo Lacerda had set up the chance. The Togo player, Rodrigue was next to deflect wayward as the team went into half time.
Quarterfinal lineup: HAL v Mahindra United; East Bengal v Churchill Brothers; Sporting Clube de Goa v Fransa Pax; Salgaocar v Vasco.
Sunday's quarterfinals: HAL vs. Mahindra United (4.30 p.m.); East Bengal vs. Churchill Brothers (7 p.m.).
(courtesy: The Hindu)
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