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| Kochi's last second goal send them to semis at the cost of Chennai. Goa too went through the semi-finals, Premier Futsal League |
Premier Futsal League
21.07.2016
Goa 5's 3-0 Bengaluru 5's
Goa: Michael Silva(10th), Rafael(21st), Vampeta(39th)
Goa 5’s : Cafu, Bebe, Vampeta Rafel and Mohd Ali
Bengaluru 5’s : Paul Scholes, Elias, Tatu, Maxi and Jonathan Piers
It is the last match day of the group stages as Bengaluru 5’s and Goa 5’s battle it out to join Kolkata 5’s in the Semi-Final from Group B. Goa 5’s played their last game without a marquee player, with Cafu still to arrive in India. Today, will be a different story. The World Cup winning captain who said he has spent a lot of his leisure time playing Futsal with his friends in Brazil to stay fit, will feel at home on the Futsal turf.
It took Cafu just a couple of minutes to take the first shot on goal and took the second shot a minute later. The first quarter also saw 18 year old Bengaluru 5’s Jonathan Piers take Cafu head on which kept the spectators in the game. The deadlock was broken by Goa 5’s, after Michael Silva drove home a deflected save from the Bengaluru 5’s Elias.
The second half became an end to end contest which saw goal-keepers parade of their posts and the score the home team stayed a goal ahead of the Bengaluru 5’s.
The third quarter started for Goa with a bang as the Vampeta rolled the ball in Rafael path who hit the back of the net from close range to double Goa 5’s lead. The Goan defence under Cafu’s guidance looked intimidating. They managed to shut down the Bengaluru attacks way before they could become a concern for their Goalkeeper, Bebe. He did not have to make a single save all through the quarter.
With Bengaluru trailing at the start of the final quarter, they had to put their might behind to find the goal. Their goalkeeper Elias was at the half way line dictating terms and putting pressure of the Goa 5’s. Cafu continued to dominate the proceedings and guiding his team from the back. Vampeta converted a penalty at 39 minutes to seal their berth in the Semi-finals with Kolkata from Group B.
Kochi 5's 3-3 Chennai 5's
Kochi: Moraes(37th), Chaguinha(38th, 40+1st)
Chennai: Camilo(12th), Nannda(18th), Romulo(39th)
Kochi 5’s: Salgado, Cassalone, Changuinha, Moraes and Mohd Ameer
Chennai 5’s: Romulo, Nando, Camilo, Espindola and Faraz Azeez
The thrilling game between Mumbai and Kochi, gave Chennai a lifeline before their game against Kochi. Chennai needed to win by a margin 2 goals against Kochi in order to qualify for the next round. Both teams started out in cautious fashion. The most clear-cut chance of the first quarter fell to Anupam whose close range side-foot effort was saved by the keeper.
Chances were few and far between as players were reduced to shots from distance in the first 10 minutes. The deadlock was finally broken by Chennai in the second quarter. On the breakaway, it was 3 v 1 and Camilo received the ball on the left and the Colombian smashed the ball into the net. But the job was only half done. With 3 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter, Chennai got their second goal. From a corner, Nanda made a near post run and like a true poacher he managed to squeeze it into the net, despite the defender putting all kinds of pressure on him Kochi needed a goal to gain the advantage once again.
Espindola made an incredible save in the second half to prevent Kochi getting a goal back in the game. The keeper dived to his left and tipped a thunderbolt of a drive. At the other end, the Kochi keeper made low crucial save in split second first through a deflection and then from Camilo’s powerful drive. In the 4th quarter Chennai almost made it 3-0 as their new recruit almost caught the Kochi keeper off guard with an attempt from his own half, but it was just wide off the post.
With 3 minutes to play, Kochi finally got their goal through their No 10. Moraes after a wonderful through pass by Chaguinha to make it 2-1. Next from provider, he turned goalscorer with a smart finish from the right to make it 2-2.
Chennai once again got themselves the advantage after Falcao’s powerful drive to put them 3-2 ahead. But with seconds left in the game Chaguinha produced a moment of magic with a brilliant long-range strike that sent his teammates into ecstasy. A dramatic game ended in disappointment for Chennai but for Kochi it’s another step closer to the trophy.
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