Source: The Sangai Express
Chennai, June 11 2009:
A penalty by Climax Lawrence in injury time delivered Goa a 1-0 win against a prodigal Tamil Nadu in the semifinals of the 63rd National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy here.
Goa will take on Bengal in the final Sunday while Tamil Nadu would be left to rue the chances they missed and of course, their captain's blemish at the fag end of the match.
After the match spilled over to injury time at the end of 90 minutes, Tamil Nadu skipper Kulothungan was pulled up for holding substitute Francis Fernandes.
Off the resultant penalty, Lawrence calmly slid the ball past goalkeeper Satish Kumar for the match-winner.
After conceding the goal, Tamil Nadu made a last-ditch attempt by throwing all their players into the rival area and Goan goalkeeper and captain Felix D'Souza added to the drama by taking a yellow card for handling the ball outside the penalty area, but denied the hosts an opportunity.
Referee Pratap Singh awarded a free-kick, off which Kulothungan made an attempt for the last try of the match.
The Tamil Nadu players, soon after the hooter went at the end of the match, surrounded the referee as the Goans erupted into celebrations.
Tamil Nadu only have themselves to blame for the disaster and for yet another heartbreak on the altar of poor finish and marksmanship.