Vagator: Assonora United booked their place in the semifinals of the 24th Vagator Soccer with a hard-fought 3-0 win on penalties against Sinquerim SC, after a goalless draw in regulation time at the Vagator ground.
Assonora started brightly, with Prajot Naik unleashing a powerful long-range effort that sailed just over the crossbar in the 5th minute. Eight minutes later, Jovian Conceicao delivered a precise cross into the danger area, but Naik was just inches away from converting.
Assonora continued to push forward, with Naik again testing the Sinquerim goalkeeper in the 18th minute, only for his shot to be safely parried away. Sinquerim responded with a chance of their own in the 26th minute, but Pratik Tirodkar’s effort was comfortably collected by the Assonora custodian.
The second half saw much of the same, as both teams battled for the breakthrough. Naik had a golden opportunity to open the scoring but was denied once more by the Sinquerim goalkeeper. Assonora nearly found the net in the 47th minute when Punaji Kalangutkar’s header from a corner was dramatically cleared off the line by Aiyan Shaikh, keeping Sinquerim’s hopes alive.
With no goals in regulation time, the match was decided by penalties. Sinquerim faltered under pressure, failing to convert any of their three spot-kicks. Assonora, on the other hand, held their nerve, with Kunal Salgaonkar, Sattyam Gawas, and Projot Arabekar all scoring from the spot to secure a 3-0 win in the shootout.
Prajot Naik was named Man of the Match for his tireless performance and attacking threat throughout the game. Assonora United now move into the semifinals with momentum on their side.
