Navelim Villagers ease past Dando Boys

NT NETWORK

 

BENAULIM

Navelim Villagers Union advanced to the quarterfinals of 22nd Dando Boys Cup football tournament after registering an easy 4-1 win against Dando Boys Club, Benaulim at St John, the Baptist grounds, Benaulim on Tuesday.

Clinton Niasso scored a brace for Navelim Villagers Union as he found the mark in the 30th and 50th minute, while their other two goals were scored by Danston Fernandes (10th minute) and  Rovan Pereira (68th minute).

Nicolas Rodrigues pulled a goal back for Dando Boys in the 35th minute.

Navelim Villagers, who led 2-1 at half time, went into the lead following a good cross by striker Clinton Niasso in the rival goalmouth from where Danston Fernandes leaped high to nod the ball to the far end of the nets, giving no chance at all to the Dando Boys goalkeeper Hubert Rodrigues.

The match was then played on even terms with both the teams going all out for the kill. While the attack of Dando Boys mostly revolved around the skillful Nicolau Rodrigues, Navelim Villagers depended heavily on striker Clinton Niasso, who not only scored a brace but also provided smart passes upfront.

Dando Boys had good possession of the ball in the opening minutes of the play, but as the match progressed they lost their touch as their defence began crumbling under slightest pressure.

While the lads of Navelim Villagers converted most of the chances that came their way, the strikers of Dando Boys squandered several goal scoring opportunities.

After some good probing, Navelim Villagers scored another goal when Clinton Niasso dashed into the box to send the ball past the bewildered rival keeper Hubert Rodrigues.

Just five minutes before half time, Nicolau Rodrigues pulled a goal back as his fierce shot gave no chance at all to the keeper of Navelim Villagers.

The second session saw Navelim Villagers gelling well in the defence as well as in the midfield, during which time they were successful in scoring two more goals.

Clinton Niasso, the speedy striker of Navelim Villagers, completed his brace in the 50th minute after he received a nice assist from medio Fr Americo Rodrigues.

Roddy Fernandes, Maverick Correa and Afif Pathan worked hard for Dando Boys as they tried to come back into the game, but all their attempts were nullified by the strong defence of Navelim
Villagers.

Navelim Villagers’ fleet-footed striker Clinton Niasso made a dashing run on the right flank and on seeing Rovan Pereira unmarked, passed the ball to him and the last named slammed the ball in to rival nets, just two minutes from the final hooter to make the scoreline read 4-1 in his team’s favour.