Goa Under 21 to clash with BOI in finals

Pune, Dec 15 (UNI) A 28th minute goal by Elton Saldhana saw Bank of India, Mumbai avenge their defeat at the hands Maharashtra State Police, Mumbai in last year's final and enter the final of the Surendra Anand Memorial state level football tournament at Khadki, near here, today.

Goa Under 21, outclassed Aurangabad (Marathwada) by 3-0 in the other semi final round and will clash with BoI in the finals on Sunday.

The move for the match winner for the BOI was created by Munir Shaikh. Finding Elton Saldhana lying handy, he switched the ball to him and the latter did not disappoint his teammates in finding the target and in the process, helping his team avenge last years' defeat in the final of this tournament by the state police. The Bankmen will take a second swipe at the title on Sunday.

Saby Olivera shot home from a penalty spot kick in the 33rd minute after Imran Khan was pulled down by refree Raju Pillay for a foul inside the circle to put Goa Under 21 in the lead. The rugged Marathwadamen kept the fast moving Goa forward line at bay by some good tackling to prevent them from causing further harms.

Two quick goals, however, saw the Marathwadamen wilt down. In the 52nd minute, Sami Dias converted from a pass from Saby Olivera and a minute later following another fast foray into the rival territory saw Freddy Olivera cash on an Agnello Martin move.

The Goa Under 21 pivot, Francis Barboz, who did most of the spade work in keeping his forwards on the move and falling back to tackle whenever Marathwada attackers posed the danger to their goal, was duly awarded the Man of the Match' title.

Maharashtra State Police, Mumbai will take on Aurangabad Marathwada in the match for the third place to be played tomorrow.

UNI IS PM PDS KN2052