TEAM HERALD

sports@herald-goa.com

MARGAO: Curtorim Gymkhana squeezed past Sangolda Lightning 4-1 via the tie-breaker to march into the semi-finals of 41^st all-Goa Custodio memorial inter-village football tournament, organised by Raia Sporting Club, at panchayat ground, Raia, Thursday.

There was no score at half time.

Both teams started on a cautious note. Both teams had a couple of opportunities to forge ahead but their forwards were guilty of muffing easy chances from ideal positions.

After resumption, both teams showed urgency and launched a barrage of attacks. Sangolda took the lead when Curtorim goalkeeper Johnson Bhagat failed to collect the ball cleanly of an Alex Alvares snap shot, which eventually rolled into the net in the 39^th minute. However, their joy was short lived when Valzuino Ferandnes unleashed a fierce shot which crashed into the net in the 40^th minute.

Both teams went all-out in search of the match-winner but to no avail.

In the tie-breaker, Curtorim goalkeeper Johnson Bhagat was the hero of the day as he effected three superb saves by blocking Washinton Pereira’s, Nilkant Naik’s and Joseph D’Costa’s tries. Roy Albuquerque, Agnel Martins and Seby Martins converted for Curtorim.

Curtorim now meet Navelim Sporting Club in the semi-finals on July 22.