MARGAO: Navelim Villagers Union edged past Betalbatim Sporting Club 2-1 to enter the quarter-finals of South Goa Mc Dowells’ No 1 Yaari Premier Cup inter-village football tournament, organised by Cuncolim Union, at Government Village School ground, Cuncolim, on Sunday.
Navelim Villagers Union were trailing 0-1 at half time.
Betalbatim Sporting Club were the early aggressors with their forwards troubling the rival defence with sporadic raids.
At the other hand, Navelim Villagers Union were struggling initially to catch the briskly pace but slowly started building up momentum through their stand in Aulon Gomes and Clinton Niasso.
Betalbatim Sporting Club broke the deadlock in the 10th minute when striker Ronaldo Coelho picked up the ball from Austin Fernandes and the former unleashed a snap shot to beat the Navelim goalkeeper Paul Fernandes.
Stung by that setback, Navelim regrouped quickly and took the fight to the rival camp and launched flurry of attacks.
A glorious opportunity was handed to Aulon Gomes who found himself in no one man’s land with only the rival goalkeeper to beat but his try landed wide.
Thereafter, Betalbatim conjured scoring opportunities but first rival goalkeeper Paul Fernandes comfortably collected Ronaldo Coelho’s stingless attempt.
With time nearing for half time, Navelim had a chance to level the score but striker Clinton Niasso blew away a golden opportunity.
The second half showed Navelim in better light as Betalbatim turned miss passes, losing 50-50 balls and possession.
Navelim cancelled the lead in the 42nd minute when Aldrich Gomes found Darren Pexeito free inside the rival penalty box and the last named punished the rival goalkeeper Jonathan Miranda with clinical finish to put his team on equal terms.
After levelling the score, Navelim were on top of their game as they won many a second balls with rival fragile defence finding it tough to gain a balanced ground.
In the 55th minute, Presely Gomes who exchanged a one-to with Suraj Naik and the former beat the rival goalkeeper with stiff grounder which saw them to secure a 2-1 deserving win over Betalbatim outfit.
Earlier Ronaldo Coelho had a golden chance to regain the lead for Betalbatim finding his shot inches away from the goal.
