GOA, JULY 20: Bengaluru 5s and Kolkata 5s played out a 1-1 draw as Gigg's finally got one over Salgado as Mumbai beat Kochi 6-4.
In a match with some twists and an orange card flashed, two strong sides Bengaluru 5's and Kolkata 5's settled for a 1-1 draw in a keenly contested game on the second day of the Goa leg of the Premier Futsal here today. With the draw, Kolkata 5's made it to the semifinals.
With a reasonable crowd at the Peddem Indoor sports complex, Kolkata were aggressive in the first quarter as they had more possession of the ball. Their defence too was up to the mark which ensured that Bengaluru players were unable to net the ball.
Bengaluru too had their chances, in the quarter, but they missed the goal on some occasions, at times the ball went over the post or on other occasions it was saved by the keeper.
Kolkata got a penalty, after a handball in the D-box by an opponent player, in the seventh minute which was beautifully converted into goal by the experienced Pula, who later became the player of the match, giving his side the lead and the edge over their rivals.
In the second quarter, Bengaluru were more aggressive and their players displayed more effective coordination and passes. But they could not get the equaliser.
Kolkata 5's too kept up the pressure but could not extend their lead. At the half time, the match was in Kolkata's favour with scoreboard reading 1-0.
In the third quarter, Bengaluru continued with their aggressive play and came back into the game. The equaliser was scored by Jonathan Piers in the 22nd minute.
Kolkata too counter-attacked but could not add another goal as the scoreline remained 1-1.
In the fourth quarter, an orange card was shown to Kolkata goalkeeper Cidao as he pushed the ball outside from the D-box in the 39th minute.
Bengaluru had a chance to go ahead but the attempt was in vain. The two sides earned a point each after the draw.
Before the start of the second game, Brazilian legend Cafu, the replacement for Goa 5s' Ronaldinho, was unveiled to the crowd to huge cheers.
Giggs and Salgado resumed their banter from the other day as the game went on at a frantic pace.
The men-in-form for either side scored in the first quarter - Moraes giving Kochi the lead before Foglia brought Mumbai back level.
Soon, Moraes played a hand as Kochi retook the lead, thanks to Changuinha who scored off Moraes' assist. Mumbai came back on level terms thanks to Kevin Ramirez.
And for the third time in the game, Kochi took the lead before Mumbai clawed back once again through Foglia. However, Mumbai rode the momentum and went two up as goals from Chanpreet and Angellot made it 5-3 in their favor, leaving Kochi speechless.
Changuinha, the man of the match against Chennai 5s on Sunday, pulled one back for Salgado's side in the last quarter. However, Mannikoth all but ended Kochi's hopes of a comeback as he scored from a counter as Moraes attempt was saved by Luis Amado, making it a 6-4 win for Mumbai.
