Team Herald
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RAIA: Raia Sporting Club triumphed over Ambelim Sports Club with a 2-0 victory to advance to the quarterfinals of the 23rd Fr Basilio Andrade Memorial Tournament at Musson grounds, Majorda. Both teams created several scoring opportunities in the first half, but neither managed to break the deadlock.
Ambelim Sports Club was the first to threaten when Semson Fernandes unleashed a shot from just outside the box, but his effort narrowly missed the target. Raia responded when Airen Dias received a ball from the right, only to be denied by Ambelim's goalkeeper, Shenoy Fernandes. The rebound fell favourably for Rivo Borges, but he could only find the side netting with his attempt.
Shenoy Fernandes remained resolute, thwarting both Achilles Fernandes and Airen Dias in one-on-one situations within a few minutes. Ambelim’s Semson Fernandes had another opportunity, but his weak attempt was comfortably saved by Raia’s goalkeeper, Floyd Pereira.
In the second half, Ambelim started strongly, with Semson Fernandes setting up Arvind Fernandes, whose shot went just wide of the far post. Velroy Rebello then received a pass just past the halfway line, evaded a challenge from Yelloy Fernandes, but shot over the bar.
Raia finally broke the deadlock when Rivo Borges combined brilliantly with Jouston Barbosa to slot the ball past the advancing Shenoy Fernandes. Moments later, Jouston Barbosa doubled Raia's lead, dribbling past Velroy Fernandes and goalkeeper Shenoy before calmly finishing into the net.
Ambelim had a chance to pull one back when Velroy Fernandes found himself in a one-on-one situation with Raia's goalkeeper, Floyd Pereira, but Pereira stood tall to preserve his clean sheet.