Salgaocar FC edged past Sporting Clube de Goa in the GFA Champions Trophy charity match following an entertaining penalty shootout, which the Greens won 7-6 at the floodlit Duler Stadium in Mapusa on Sunday. At the end of 90 minutes both teams were locked in a one-all draw. Souvik Das (18’) gave Salgaocar FC the lead scoring from the spot while Cajetan Fernandes (44’) put things on level terms in similar fashion.

The first half was a fairly balanced affair with both teams adopting a cautious approach going into the match. For the initial period play was concentrated in the midfield. Barring a handful of attempts from either side both the goalkeepers had a relaxed first quarter.

In the 18th minute Salgaocar FC forward Liston Colaco made a brilliant run from the midfield forcing Sporting Goa defender Joseph Clemente to handle the ball within the box. The resulting penalty was converted by Souvik Das who completed his move from Sporting Goa to rivals Salgaocar FC this summer.

After conceding the first goal Sporting Goa stepped up their offense, Victorino Fernandes and Ganesh Thakur made some fantastic runs on either flanks but couldn’t break down a determined Salgaocar defence. In the 44th minute Balwinder Singh of Salgaocar brought down Ganesh Thakur who had made a fantastic run into the box. Cajetan Fernandes took the responsibility and slotted home to equalise from the spot. In the very next minute Clemente Joseph of Sporting Goa brought down Aslon Oliveira in the box giving away a second penalty and also getting his marching orders for the second bookable offense. However Ravi Kumar had different plans and made a brilliant save denying Souvik Das his second goal of the night. At half time the score read one-all.

In the second half Sporting Goa with a player less on pitch put out a fantastic display of football with quick passing and keeping long spells of possession. Sporting Goa’s Victorino Fernandes made some great runs into the box and came very close to scoring on two occasions. For Salgaocar FC, Mackroy Peixote had the best attempt when he lofted a half volley and struck it neatly only to be denied by the woodwork.

At the end of 90 minutes unable to break the deadlock the match moved into penalties. And there Salgaocar FC edged 7-6 past Sporting Goa after the Flaming Oranje’s Joseph Pereira missed his attempt in sudden death.