MAPUSA: Football Club of Siolim managed to squeeze past strong contenders Nagao Sporting Club, with a narrow 2-1 win to enter the semi-finals of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Silver Jubilee Soccer, organised by Dunes Sports Club Mandrem, at Mandrem Panchayat grounds, on Wednesday.

Both the teams were in the thick of action right from the start, but Siolim opened their account in the 20th minute. Raghu Shirodkar sent a fine square pass to Ryan D’Souza who slammed the ball into the far corner before Nagoa keeper Rajesh Salgaonkar could react from
the goal.

Injury to the keeper saw Nagoa defend the remaining part of the match with ten men.

In the 30th minute of play, Nagoa’s Lawrence Rodrigues drilled a blistering shot at the Siolim goal which was superbly collected by keeper Joseph Britto.

Nagoa continued their attack and were duly rewarded by the equalizing goal. Medio Stanley Coutinho took a curling strike from the edge of the box, which dipped into the far corner of the Siolim goal, 1-1.

However, in the 57th minute of play, a power-packed strike by Sangam Pednekar rebounded off the post to find Vinay Pednekar, who placed
the ball into the Nagoa goal to make it 2-1.