Mitra Veterans march into quarter-finals

Team Herald

sports@herald-goa.com

RAIA: Mitra Veterans edged past Bardez Veterans 4-2 via tie-breaker to move into the quarter-finals in a pulsating clash at the Flame of Unity Sports Club Veterans tournament played at Per Seraulim ground, on Monday.

In a nail-biting tiebreaker after a tense goalless draw. Both sides fielded stalwarts who once donned the Goa jersey and top club colours, promising a contest of skills and pride.

The opening half was a showcase of attacking intent, with both teams eager to draw first blood, yet resolute defences kept the scoreline blank. After the restart, Mitra shifted gears, with Trevor Antao made some surging runs and thunderous attempts on goal. But Bardez custodian Jude was in imperious form, pulling off some brilliant stops to frustrate Mitra’s frontline.

As the heavens opened, the tempo slowed, with both teams battling heavy conditions and seemingly content to push the game into penalties. In the penalty shoot-out, Mitra Veterans held their nerve as clinical finishing and two superb saves from Jaffer Yadwad sealed their passage into the quarter-finals.

Earlier, Fatorda Veterans edged out Varca Veterans 5-4 vie tie-breaker after a gripping 1-1 stalemate.

The match sparked into life early in the 3rd minute when Succoro Pereira took the lead with a brilliant opener for Varca. However, the strong Fatorda outfit showed their skills, equalising just four minutes later through a clinical strike from Narain Mistry.

With the scores level, the first half ended on even terms. The second half turned into a battle of nerves, both teams attacking with intent yet defending cautiously, unwilling to concede ground.

Despite several close chances, neither side could break the deadlock, taking the game to penalties.

In the shoot-out, Fatorda displayed nerves of steel, converting with precision to seal a dramatic 5-4 victory and a memorable passage into the next round.