Team Herald
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RAIA: United Club of Seraulim ousted fancied and seasoned Navelim Sporting Club in a tense penalty shootout 5-4 to enter the quarter-finals of Cavelossim Villagers UK Cup organised by Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim at Fr Druston and Wellington ground, Cavelossim, on Friday.
UC Seraulim had a group of youngsters with a promising future who dominated midfield with the wingers giving accurate crosses but Mohsin Sayed and Najab Khan upfront were erratic in shooting. On the other side, Navelim Sporting Club missed an easy chance to open the scoring when goalkeeper Joyrith Braganza accidentally handled the ball when Ashley Fernandes gave a back pass but the resultant indirect free-kick was easily saved by the goalkeeper.
UC Seraulim did have a great opportunity when a cross from Selroy Fernandes was headed in by Elroy Fernandes but goalkeeper Meheboob of Navelim Sporting Club effected a smart save to punch the ball over the crossbar.
Towards the fag end, Navelim Sporting Club could have wrapped up the match but Ronaldo Pereira headed wide with an open goal in front of him. With scoreline remaining 0-0, the tiebreaker was enforced with United Club of Seraulim scoring through Ashley Fernandes, Flascio Fernandes, Sandeep Shanke, Oliver D’Souza and Gladson Braganza.
For Navelim SC, Clinton Niasso, Jayson Coutinho, Rehan Sayed and Venito Costa converted their spot kicks but Aden Pereira shot wide to hand over a deserving victory to UC Seraulim.
UC Seraulim will now meet Ambelim SC in the quarters on May 18.
Viriato Mendes, vice-chairman of the club gave away the Food Court Man-of-the-Match award to Oliver D’Souza of United Club of Seraulim.