Referee Walter Pereira does it again, CHEATS VASCO ONCE AGAIN. Two dubious penalties and sending off of Vasco defender Caetan Costa, helps Salgaocar defeat Vasco Sports Club 3 - 1 in extra time in the 27th Federation Cup.
With score tied 1-1 at full time, the dead-lock was broken during extra-time with Salgaocar striking once in each half through Samson Singh (4th) and man of the match Francis Andrade (21st) to seal a semis clash with Sporting Clube de Goa on October 27.
Both teams fought on an even keel but it was Salgaocar who snatched the early lead off a contentious spot-kick awarded by the referee on a hand ball inside the danger zone.
Salgaocar's Jerose Oliveira who attempted to get past the Vasco defense struck the ball on rival's Nicholas Colaco. Although Nicholas seemed to have handled the ball unintentionally, the referee thought otherwise and wasted on time in pointing towards the dreaded spot, from where Francis Andrade made a neat conversion in the 11th minute.
Stung by the reverse, it was Vasco's turn to retaliate as twin attempts from Anthony Fernandes kept Salgaocar goalie Sangram Mukherjee on a tight leash, who however used all his experience to pull off good saves.
In the 33rd minute Vasco restored parity through Rovan Pereira who tapped home a deflection from goalkeeper Sangram, who was trying to fend off Anthony Fernandes' following a cross from Denis on the right.
Just before the breather, Salgaocar came close to taking the lead through Samson Singh but he shot wide a sitter a relayed header from Jerose.
With the teams tied 1-1, Salgaocar initiated early probing in the second half with Brazilian Fabio Passos unleashing a stinging long-ranger which was brilliantly tipped over by Vasco goalkeeper.
In the 56th minute, Salgaocar skipper Remus Gomes took a nasty tumble on his head as he fell onto the ground while going for an aerial challenge with Vasco's Anthony Pereira during a set-piece. His collision with Pereira and the subsequent fall left him partially unconscious on the ground as the medical staff along with ambulance was pressed into action to retrieve the Salgaocar defender. Remus was put on oxygen mask to make him stable as he was later reported to be out of danger. Kamal Thapa was brought in as Remus' replacement.
Thereafter both teams tried their best to end the stalemate with Vasco come close to sneaking ahead in the 66th minute through Nicholas Colaco, who steep header was tipped over by goalkeeper Sangram.
Salgaocar's Fabio looked menacing towards the closing stages but his speedy march into the Vasco area was curtailed brilliantly by Anthony Pereira in the 80th minute.
During extra-time, Salgaocar found the much-needed goal through Samson Singh, who scored off a pass from Fabio. The ball deflected into the goal off goalkeeper Milagrio Medeira's outstretched hands.
In the 21st minute of the extra-time, Salgaocar's Samson Singh, Oscar winning theatrical dive into the penalty box was rewarded with the second penalty, which Francis Andrade converted. With 4 minutes remaining, referee Walter Pereira was at it again, his decision to red card Caetano Costa drew vociferous protest from Vasco players and spectators.
Though Vasco coach Matthew D'Costa did not say it in as many words - probably due to fear of disciplinary action - his "you people are the best judge" comment was more than enough to highlight the refereeing disappointment.
