Local favourites is what comes to mind when you hear a Goan team is playing in the semi-finals in Goa. An early evening kick off at the Fatorda with a lot more audible fans set up a good game between The Blues against a surprising Sporting Club de Goa that did more than just walk in the park.
Slow and steady were BFC’s first steps, surely learning from the past few games that had a bit of a shaky start. Anthony Wolfe’s side knew they had a more than just a task at hand as BFC kept the ball more often than not. The only thing that probably favoured Sporting was the weather as the Blues started to ask questions of the a side that looked a little to energetic in the first half. Surely, they knew this is a game of two halves.
Rookie in my eyes as they started to chase the ball like there was no tomorrow. Reminded me of Osano’s words before the game “We know we are completely fit”. Wolfe should have probably paid more attention to these words as his side was caught defending a high line when Chhetri chipped the ball in to Keegan who slipped in a low cross to Rooney and we all know what comes next. 1-0 to the Blues and why not.
There were a bit nervy moments for BFC down the left flank as Keegan found himself being easily done by Beevan who kept putting the ball in the box with no one to finish on the receiving end. Victorino Fernandes who single handedly saw the Bengal Giants off in his last game, had his moments too but Johnson and Curtis kept him at bay. The next attack on the other end came when Rooney laid it off for the skipper who dribbled past one and absolutely smashed the ball with his weaker foot in the top corner of the net which yet again, proved that there is no comparison of this very being in the history of Indian Football. Easy Cruising.
Frustration, one word that summarised the Goan club’s second half. Wolfe’s men started to get a hold of the ball with a change of formation consisting of 5 mid-fielders which was a clear sign of “do or die”. The Goan side came really close to scoring in the 70th Minute when Anthony’s deflected shot was saved by Mawia who seemed unchallenged throughout. Eugenson and Walker were doing their bit by feeding Robin who came on and proved to be a menace for a tired looking back line. Not too long and very unselfishly, he fed Eugenson with a cool pass who slotted it past Kumar and got his first of the tournament.
3-0 and we cruise into the finals, only to face our first I-league opponents next week at home, Dempo FC. Mouth watering? Let’s wait and watch.
Football - The way i see it. 