Vasco caused a huge upset in the Federation Cup football tournament, beating Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan 6-5 on penalties, after both sides failed to break the deadlock in regulation and extra-time, at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, on Saturday.
Vasco now play Salgaocar, another Goa side, in the quarter finals. Salgaocar got the better of Punjab Police 3-1 in another first round match earlier in the evening.
Mohun Bagan paid the price for their profligacy and have themselves to blame for the defeat. They controlled play and had vast spells of dominance over their rather inexperienced opponents but their strikers lacked the finish. Added to their woes the Vasco defence put up a commendable show.
After the teams were level 4-4 in the tie-breaker, Anthony Fernandes and Rovan Pereira found the net for Vasco in sudden-death while Tomba Singh failed to score, his shot hitting the crossbar, after Mehtab Hossein converted.
In the tie-breaker, Desmond Fernandes, Caitan Costa, Anthony Pereira and Milagrio Medeira scored for Vasco while Cedric Pexeito's kick was saved by Bagan 'keeper Subrata Paul.
For Bagan, Gleyyao Rodrique, Noel Wilson, Eduardo Lacerda and Dharamjit Singh found the net in the tie-breaker while Mehrajuddin Wadoo shot out.
Vasco's Anthony Pereira was named the man of the match.
© 2024 Rediff.com -