Team Herald
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RAIA: Girdolim Club booked a place in the semi-finals of the 35th All Goa St Anne's Festival inter-village soccer tournament 2025, after a thrilling 5-4 win over Assnora United in regular time. The tournament is being organised by Ponda Footballers in association with SAG and powered by Bhatikar Charitable Trust and is being played at the Animal Husbandry ground in Curti-Ponda.
Assnora United opened the scoring in the 10th minute through Dhaku Gaonkar, but Girdolim responded swiftly as Moses D’Sa equalised in the 14th minute. Melvin Carvalho gave Girdolim the lead in the 33rd minute, only for Assnora to level the scores again at 2-2 just a minute into the second half through a splendid free-kick by Kunal Salgaocar.
Girdolim regained the advantage in the 37th minute with Moses D’Sa completing his brace via a well-timed through ball. The momentum continued in their favour as Rivaldo Cardoza scored in the 42nd minute off a diagonal pass to make it 4-2.
Assnora stayed in the fight, with Kunal Salgaocar reducing the deficit to 4-3 in the 43rd minute. However, Cardoza struck again in the 50th minute with a powerful effort from outside the box to extend the lead to 5-3. Satyavan Gawas gave Assnora hope with a well-executed free-kick in the 52nd minute to make it 5-4, but they couldn’t find the equaliser. Dhaku Gaonkar had a late chance, but his effort sailed just over the crossbar.
Satyavan Gawas of Assnora United was named man-of-the-match and the prize was presented by Orlando Fernandes.
In the upcoming semi-final fixtures, Girdolim Club will face SAI Avatar Anjuna on Sunday, while Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda will take on Nerul Sports Club on Saturday.