Team Herald
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RAIA: Macazana Welfare Club overcame United Boys of Ambaulim 7-6 via a tense tie-breaker to book their place in the quarter-finals of the 20th Velim Panchayat Cup, organised by the Sports and Welfare Club Zaino Velim, at St Xavier’s Church ground, Velim, on Friday.
Despite intermittent rain, more than 500 spectators gathered to witness a thrilling contest. United Boys’ Alex Fernandes squandered an early chance in the 10th minute, while both goalkeepers – Johnson Bhogot for Macazana and Ibon Fernandes for Ambaulim – stood firm with impressive saves.
Macazana took the lead in the 34th minute when Anselem Fernandes curled home a precise strike, but Soweil Fernandes levelled for Ambaulim in the 54th minute. With the score locked 1-1 at full time, the game went to penalties, where Macazana held their composure to clinch a 7-6 victory.
Anselem Fernandes was named man-of-the-match and received his award from Velim Sarpanch Verna Cardozo in the presence of panch members Simon Fernandes, Tony Fernandes and Ciena Pinto.
