Two late goals by  St Joseph’s Boys’ High School dashed the semifinal hopes of Vidyashilp Academy in the Fr Eric Vaz Memorial hockey tournament for Juniors at the KSHA Stadium here on Thursday. With Vidyashilp’s loss, St Germain sneaked through to the last-four stage on better goal difference.

In another match of the tournament, Sarala Birla Academy booked their semifinal berth with a 2-0 win over Frank Anthony Public School.

Joseph’s and Vidyashilp dished out an entertaining game marked by intense exchanges.

Josephites tried to breach the Vidyashilp defence mostly through the left flank but Vidyashilp defenders stood up to the challenge.

A beautiful battle of tactics and nerves was on display as medios of both sides worked hard.

The scores were level till five minutes from the hooter and a draw was enough for Vidyashilp to advance into the next stage.

But in the 56th minute, set-piece specialist Shamir Abraham served a well-directed free-hit into the penalty area which was collected by centre-forward Melroy Menezes before shooting hard for the first goal.

Vidyashilp had barely recovered from the blow, Trishul Chinnappa passed on the ball to an unmarked Melroy who completed the formalities in the 58th minute.

Pool ‘A’ topper St Joseph’s will take on Sarala Birla Academy in the first semifinal on Saturday while pool ‘B’ winners Baldwin will meet St Germain on Monday in the other semifinal.