Team Herald
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MAPUSA/RAIA: Goa United Sports Academy (GUSA) stormed into the finals of the Goa Football Association’s Third Division playoff after prevailing 6-5 via a tense tie-breaker against FC Siolim, at the Poriat ground, on Wednesday.
The teams were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time. FC Siolim drew first blood in the 33rd minute through Pushparaj Mandrekar, but GUSA’s Runaal Shirodkar restored parity soon after the change of ends. Both sides pressed hard for the winner in the closing stages, but neither could break the deadlock.
In the ensuing penalty shootout, GUSA held their nerve to triumph 5-4 and seal a place in the final.
Meanwhile, in the Salcete Zone matches, Santa Cruz Society of Poitomado and Macasana Welfare Club registered impressive victories.
At the Avedem football ground in Paroda, Santa Cruz Society of Poitomado edged out Uguem Rising Club 2-1. Nelson Rosario and Vinod Velip found the net for Poitomado, while Riffard Gomes reduced the deficit for Uguem Rising late in the match.
At the DSYA ground in Curtorim, Macasana Welfare Club produced a dominant display to defeat Sports and Welfare Club of Zaino Velim 6-2. Jovito Niasso led the charge with a superb hat-trick, Melchior Miranda added a brace, and Xenos Gomes rounded off the scoring for Macasana. For SWC Zaino, Nigel Viegas and Sam Moura managed to get their names on the scoresheet.
