Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
RAIA: Guardian Angel Sports Club put on a commanding performance to down United Club of Verna 2-1 in a thrilling clash of the 34th Super Soccer football tournament at the panchayat ground, Benaulim, on Thursday.
The Guardian boys came out firing on all cylinders, controlling the midfield with authority and pushing United Club of Verna on the backfoot early on.
Their efforts bore fruit in the 9th minute when Preston Castano opened the scoring, converting after a well orchestrated move involving Ivon and Royston Costa. Despite several attacks, United Club of Verna were kept in the game by goalkeeper Myron Fernandes, who pulled off some brilliant saves to keep the score 1-0 at halftime.
After the break, Guardian Angel SC continued their relentless pressure. Preston caused havoc on the left wing and set up Regan Costa, who calmly slotted in the second in the 38th minute.
United Club of Verna’s only consolation came through an unfortunate own goal by their defender Sheldon Pereira, but Guardian Angel SC were the superior side from start to finish.
Earlier, United Boys of Ambaulim scored a dominant 3-1 triumph over Betalbatim SC to move into the next round.
Right from kick-off, UB Ambaulim pressed high and hard. Joel Barretto’s thunderous strike in the 24th minute left no chance and gave UB Ambaulim a deserved lead at half-time.
After the break, UB Ambaulim turned the screws tighter. Lawrito pounced in the 33rd minute to make it 2-0, and the marauding midfield duo of Barretto and Dailon Carvalho continued to orchestrate attacks. Dailon’s sharp finish in the 49th minute sealed the contest.
Betalbatim SC’s Klusner Pereira converted a late penalty, but UB Ambaulim’s backline, marshalled by Felixon and Crimson Fernandes, held firm.
Parish Youth Nuvem snatched a thrilling 6-5 victory in penalties against a valiant CAC Cansaulim to move into the next round.
At the end of regulation time both teams failed to score. In the penalty shoot-out, PY Nuvem held their nerve to win.