MARGAO: Varca Sports Club played a rather subdued match but still manage to blank Sai Avatar Anjuna 2-0 to enter the quarter-finals of the Fraxier Trophy soccer tournament organised by Young Strikers Benaulim and being played at St John Baptist grounds, Dando, Benaulim.

Anjuna were more aggressive in the initial stages but poor finishing was their undoing. Striker Joseph Noronha was the culprit wasting a decent chance in the 18th minute shooting straight into the hands of Varca keeper Mohammed Shaikh. Anjuna defenders Christopher D’ Sousa and Rosario Noronha kept a tight leash on rival strikers Columban Noronha and Zico Menezes.

After the change of ends Varca gradually took control over the proceedings with Elvis Fernandes keeping the forward line busy. The winners ultimately took the lead in fortunate circumstances as Anjuna keeper Francis Mascarenhas did well to leave his charge and cut out a pass by Elvis before Columban could do the damage but luckily the clearance fell nicely for oncoming midfielder Villroy D’ Cruz to shoot the ball into the unguarded nylons.

Thereafter Anjuna tried hard to wipe off the deficit but striker Joseph again blasted wide from inside the box, and to make matters worse, Varca doubled their lead when wing back Zico Menezes was allowed a free run by the rival defence to slot past the exposed keeper to seal the victory.