Barefoot Fest 2013 - Beach Soccer Championship - Semi-Finals Results

The last day of the Barefoot Beach Soccer Championship saw the top 4 teams from the tournament battle it out for the coveted championship trophy. The day witnessed the semi-final matches played between Goa United Vs ABC Arambol and Kasarkod Kerala Vs Calangute Association.

The scorching sun teamed with the glowing sand made the day perfect for an electrifying beach soccer event conclusion. The first teams to step on the sand were Goa United and ABC Arambol. The match kicked off in an intense attack from both the teams, as Averisto Fernandes from Goa United bagged a goal for his team in the first minute of the game and Russell Fernandes from ABC Arambol scored one for his team in a matter of seconds from the first goal. Goa United, who seemed in no mood to maintain ties, was quick to respond with another lucky goal by Ashley Lobo which was almost saved from ABC Arambol. A couple of brilliant saves from their goal-keeper helped ABC Arambol restrict the score at 2-1 at the end of the first period.

ABC Arambol missed their earned free-kick owing to a foul by Goa United; but Goa United made no mistakes in banking opportunities n every possible opportunity. With a goal by Stalin Baptista, Goa United maintained its lead at the end of the second period at 3-1.

Luck didn’t favour ABC Arambol even in the third period, as they not only missed a brilliant goal opportunity, but were also attacked on all fronts by Goa United. With two smashing goals, both by Ashley Lobo, Goa United extended it’s already steady lead to take the game away from ABC Arambol. The one sole goal by Vency D’souza however did help boost the confidence of the team; but unfortunately for ABC Arambol, the match went in favor of Goa United with the final score of 5-2. Goa United thus became the first finalist of the beach soccer tournament.

With the home club on one side and the only outstation team on the other; the second semi-final had the audience torn to choose their favorite between Calangute Association and Kasarkod Kerala. The match began with both teams on par with each other. However, Calangute Association was the first to score a goal, thanks to a stunning goal by Vesuino Miranda. What followed was a mix of brilliant saves and aggressive attacks from both the teams; and Kasarkod Kerala eventually managed to level scores with a superb goal by Mahamood K.

The second period came as a shocker for the home-team supporters and a delight for the Kerala’ites, as Kasarkod Kerala dominated the period despite untiring efforts and some intensely impressive saves by the Calangute Association goal-keeper – Marshall Fernandes. With three goals by Haris K and one by Arif K; Kasarkod Kerala managed to close the second period with a score of 5-1.

Calangute Association seemed determined to level things in the third period, and started off with two brilliant goals scored by Xamaro Rodrigues & Nicolas Fernandes. However, after such a fantastic lead, it was almost impossible to hold Kasarkod Kerala back and they returned with a goal by Mahamood K. Backed by its supporters, Calangute Association came back in the game with another goal by Nicoalas Fernandes. However, the lead earned by Kasarkod Kerala in the second period deservingly reserved its berth in the finals of the tournament with a final score of 6-4.

After two action-packed semi-final matches, Kasarkod Kerala and Goa United will face each other in the finals of India’s first professional Beach Soccer Championship at Calangute Beach today. We will share the results of the final match shortly.