Team Herald
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RAIA: Dicarpale Sports Club overpowered St Anthony’s FC, Assolda, 3-1, to move into the next round of 23rd edition of Fr Basilio Andrade memorial football tournament played at Musson ground, Majorda, on Tuesday.
The thrilling contest kept the spectators on the edge of their seats, with end-to-end action and a display of remarkable skill from both the sides.
Dicarpale SC started brightly with Aeren Figueiredo delivering a pinpoint cross from the right. Milton Colaco latched onto it and directed a shot past St Anthony’s FC goalkeeper Jackson Vaz, only to be denied by the post.
Minutes later, Ryan Furtado had a golden opportunity to open the scoring, but with only the keeper to beat, he shot over the crossbar.
St Anthony’s FC responded strongly, with Drayson Fernandes making a valiant diving header off a cross from Cruz Gomes. However, Dicarpale SC’s goalkeeper Avin Vales, stood firm, pulling off a neat save.
A turning point came when Jackson Vaz, the St Anthony’s FC goalkeeper handled the ball outside the box, gifting Dicarpale SC a free-kick. Sahil Inamdar seized the moment, unleashing a thunderous shot that found the back of the net, giving Dicarpale SC the lead.
Ryan Furtado once again came close to extending Dicarpale SC’s advantage but for the second time, sent his shot soaring over the crossbar.
St Anthony’s FC almost equalised when Cruz found himself in front of the goal but his strike came off the crossbar, much to the relief of the Dicarpale SC defence.
Milton Colaco continued to cause havoc for the St Anthony’s FC backline, dispossessing Joaquim Carvalho and firing a powerful shot that again struck the post. St Anthony’s FC finally found their breakthrough when Victorino Fernandes, after receiving a sublime pass from Joaquim Carvalho, calmly slotted the ball past the Dicarpale SC keeper to level the score.
Minutes from end, Dicarpale SC regained control. Milton Colaco’s ferocious shot was awkwardly parried by Jackson Vaz and Aeren Figueiredo was quick to pounce, slotting the rebound into the net to restore Dicarpale SC’s lead.
In the dying moments of the game, Veleston Colaco expertly picked out Sahil Inamdar with a well-placed pass. With the keeper advancing to narrow the angle, Sahil coolly finished to seal a well-deserved 3-1 win for Dicarpale SC.